ALEIX VIDAL: 'WE'RE GOING TO TRY AND PUT IN A GOOD PERFORMANCE AND KEEP FIGHTING AT THE TOP'

Aleix Vidal attended Sólo el Sevilla of SFC Radio this Wednesday, three days before the important away match against FC Barcelona. The Catalan wing-back firstly spoke about the state of the squad: 'We returned with a good training session and we're already focused on Saturday's game which is going to be very difficult. We're preparing well and when the internationals arrive we'll be able to prepare as a full squad. The more players we have the more difficult we'll make it for the boss to make his choices which is a good thing for competition in the team.'

Vidal went into more detail about the match in Barcelona: 'Saturday's game is ultimately still worth three points but we are going to a very difficult ground where things can become very difficult if you are not fully concentrated. They have players who can pop up at any time even if they're not in control of the game. We're going to compete, try to put in a good performance and get some points and keep fighting at the top of the league.'

Furthermore, the Catalan stated he desires and is confident of being the Aleix that lit up Nervión: 'I don't notice the injury much but it's an annoying part of my body and it has to recover well so it doesn't happen again. Football is about moments, phases. In terms of adapting I'm doing perfectly well and I'm always available for when the boss needs me and I hope I can quickly get back to being the Aleix Vidal of my first spell in Sevilla.'

'We're all ready for our chance and to make the most of it'

Regarding Machín's system and where he has been deployed in different matches, Aleix insists that he is ready for any situation: 'For me, playing on the left-hand side is something new but we're all keen to make the most of the opportunities that come our way. The wing-backs in this system have an important role and we have to be able to carry out whatever the coach asks of us.'

He also closely analysed the team's current state, which has improved drastically thanks, among other things, to the manager's good work: 'We had a small rough patch at the start where it seemed like we were the worst, but now that we're at the top, it doesn't necessarily mean that we're the best. We always want to be in this situation but we have to work very hard to stay in this privileged position. We're grateful for Machín's work and how he's doing things, he's a great coach.'

To conclude, Aleix spoke about the absentees for their opponents on Saturday, which he believes does not stop them from playing their game: 'They're missing players in defence but they have lots of different options to deal with the problems and possible changes in that part of the field. Also, they tend to spend more time attacking than defending.'