LOPETEGUI: "STATS ARE FOR THE PAPERS, BUT TOMORROW IT WILL START AT 0-0"

01/01/2021

The manager acknowledged that the team are "focused on the fact that the match is going to be played", despite the possibility of new COVID-19 cases for tomorrow's opponents

After the final pre-match training session before El Gran Derbi, Julen Lopetegui gave his pre-match press conference at midday. Before focusing on other topics, he was asked about the possibility of new COVID-19 cases for tomorrow's opponents and the possible consequences: "I do not have an opinion on this. We are confident that the best decisions will be made, by those who have to make them. What I would like is for everyone to be available because the first thing you have to wish everyone is good health. I hope everyone can be there and that they were false positives. There is little more I can say. We refer to the decisions of the authorities and what I want is for everyone to be available, both our players and those of our opponents". He also stated that he is not expecting a postponement: "We are focused and convinced that the match will be played. We are preparing to play against a good team, no doubt about it. They are well-trained, with an experienced manager and quality players, within what a Sevilla derby is. We are focused on going into it well and on the demands of the match, regardless of the context. From my point of view, our opponents are a very good team".

The next match is always the most important, and even more so against the old enemy: "You always have responsibility in a derby. Every moment is special and we always have that intention of winning it; today is no exception. But in the end we focus on the football and we know that we are up against a good team, who will oblige us to play well in order to beat them". He also confirmed that Jesús Navas is available: "Today he has trained without any problems and will be available to play, but we'll decide on the starting eleven tomorrow".

Lopetegui has won both his derbies as manager so far, but he is not looking at the stats: "Looking back serves no purpose one way or the other. If anything, it doesn't help. You have to look at what you have in front of you and it's an exciting game against a good team. We have to be prepared for that and only focus on the next match. In this case it is nice and exciting enough to not think about anything else". He also did not talk about any strengths or weaknesses of tomorrow's opponent: "That belongs more to our private sphere. I think they have quality in their lines and have competed well in many matches. On a collective level they're a very good team, that's my feeling, it's what I think and it's what we'll find there tomorrow. Their manager has been with the team for several months, you can tell from the work and we have to face up to them".

"Form counts for nothing tomorrow, what counts is what you do during the game"

The manager is not taking anything from the recent form of both sides: "Neither the context nor what happens beforehand helps you win. What helps you is what you do on the pitch. The context is more for you and during the match everyone tries to put that to one side and focus on the game. That's what will happen tomorrow regardless of the context, which does exist. Form counts for nothing tomorrow, what counts is what you do during the game". He also is not paying too much attention to the hosts' defensive statistics: "Every match is different. They have also kept clean sheets in many matches. Stats are for the papers, but tomorrow it will start at 0-0 and we'll have to win everything on the pitch. There are no shortcuts or anything to lean on beyond the 90 minutes. That's what I think".

Lopetegui then spoke about the strong defensive performances in recent weeks, despite the fixture congestion: "The short preparation time is evident because since September we have been playing every three days. There are few windows to work in because of the physical demands, but that's what we have to do and we have to adapt to the context we have. We always try to improve, sometimes we succeed and sometimes less so, but we always have the idea of improving and taking steps forward. What you have done in football is worth little and in a game all your energy is dedicated to what you have to do in every moment of the match".

To finish, he spoke about Fernando's suspension: "It is a circumstance of the competition and we accept it. We always focus on those who will play, they're the important ones. I have confidence in them and the team. I have a starting eleven in mind but I will tell the lads tomorrow".