JULEN LOPETEGUI: “WE WENT ALL OUT FOR THE WIN”

22/06/2020

The manager explained that the run of fixtures "obliged us to make quite a few changes in order to anticipate things that might hurt us later, like injuries to players"

Sevilla FC manager Julen Lopetegui was happy with his side's effort in the draw against Villarreal tonight: “They got goals in the first half. They did not have clear chances, but they did come forward and score. They were sharp and punished us a lot. We weren't capable of creating chances either, so it was an even first half. They scored that psychological goal against us just before the break... but the team recovered for the second half, equalised and we could have won the match. We had clear chances but it wasn't to be. It's now time to think about the next match".

"We were able to cut Villarreal off, so they could not play, so they played in their area... The team were very good, and also in the defensive aspect. We went all out for the win. Now it's time to recover and focus on Valladolid", added the manager.

Asked about the changes, Lopetegui stated that "we've played less than 72 hours after the last match, and we had to think about today's match and anticipate things that might hurt us, like injuries to players... Playing so soon obliged us to make quite a few changes, to then be able to bring on players in the second half".

"Villarreal are a direct rival, they play very well, they'd won three matches by a goal to nil... the fight for the aim will be long and hard until the end, and the team must be mentally ready", concluded the manager about the fight for a Champions League place.