MONCHI IN ZAGREB: "WE'RE GOING INTO IT WITH A GOOD RESULT, BUT IT'S NOT DEFINITIVE AT ALL"

"Before they really start to attack, there will be another match that we'll have to control"

Monchi then detailed how he saw tonight's match unfolding: "I think they'll play like they did in the second half here, they need to score but they can't go crazy. We need to be patient. They attack in numbers and they can do damage if they win the ball back in a dangerous area, so we need to be careful. If the match goes on and the result is still favourable, I imagine that they'll be even more attacking and that's where we can do damage. However, before that match there's a different one, that's where we must be in control". 

The Sporting Director then spoke about Dinamo Zagreb striker Mislav Orsic: "The Orsic case surprises me, sometimes you wonder why he's still in Croatia, with all my respect for that league, but he could play in a top league in Europe. Technically he's very good and has a tremendous strike on him. He's not a veteran, but maybe his chance to leave has passed him by, but he can still perform in a very interesting way". 

The return of Navas and injuries

Next on the agenda was the gradual return of Jesús Navas: "It's good to get players back, and Jesús Navas is very important for our style of play, it often determines how our opponents play because of how he plays. His absence has been noticeable. Jesús is a lad that represents all of us. He's had minutes in some matches and I think he's taking it step by step so he feels better. For him to perform, he needs the necessary time, he needs to be at 100%". 

"Everything has been mixed up by the injuries. When you lose players, you overload the fit players and their risk of injury increases"

Monchi then commented on the injury situation: "There's been a perfect storm. There haven't been more injuries than in other years, but it's come alongside COVID and they'll all been at the same time. COVID is an illness and it causes some muscular effects. 90% of the squad has had it. There have also been injuries due to bruises. There have been injuries with components that we cannot determine. When you lose players, you overload the fit players and their risk of injury increases. I raise my voice in defence of the fitness coaches and the medical team. We have been the team with the fewest injuries in recent years. I'm not worried about their methods, strategy or how they work. We're happy and satisfied with them. The squad has demonstrated their depth despite having so many injuries, they're still up there. This is what was intended by having such a large squad, and giving us enough options to approach the season". 

To finish, the Sporting Director spoke about the difficulty of outside demands, an effect of the club's growth: "When you reach the elite and fight for important things, it's impossible to stop people getting excited, as much as we'd like to. The demands, of course, increase. When you're there, you realise there's people who don't just want to win. That's not the Sevilla of 2005, 2006, 2010 or 2014. This Sevilla is always linked to success, joy... People start to doubt when you are taken away from that, but you have to live with it. There's no need to be dramatic. Everyone is free to focus where they think best. I'm happy when the team win, but I respect those who say that more is needed". 

"Qualifying for the Champions League three times in a row would be historic"

"We don't want to have a glass ceiling, but our success is finishing in the top four, and we can't slip out of there. Barcelona, Atlético de Madrid, Betis and Villarreal are all coming up strong. We can't lose the ability to appreciate what is difficult, and say something that isn't normal, is. Qualifying for the Champions League three times in a row would be historic. Let's appreciate these things, and may each person use their own barometers for success", he concluded.