BANEGA: "THEY ARE POWERFUL, BUT WE ARE SEVILLA FC"

19/08/2020

The Argentine is experiencing his final hours as a Sevillista and wants to say goodbye with a title under his arm

Éver Banega is into the final hours of his time as a Sevilla player. The Argentine, who knew that a defeat in any of the last three games would have meant saying goodbye, is looking at Friday's clash as an opportunity to leave in the best possible way. On Wednesday, he spoke to SFC Radio, and started by speaking about the iconic photo with Jesús Navas after the win over United: "Above all, the suffering and the hard work that has taken us for so long, in this very difficult year, to reach another final. The whole team deserves a new chance. It's not every year that you get there and this competition has given us a lot. That hug of suffering was for getting it once more and being so close, because we have one more little step left".

He is hugely grateful for his time here: "You dream of these moments, of playing for important things and Sevilla are that. They have always demonstrated that since I arrived they have counted on me. I left, came back and they always had me in their plans. You always want to show off your best on the pitch and help the club as much as possible". The Argentine also spoke about the build-up to the final: "We're very calm, quite relaxed. As the days go by and the day arrives, so does the anxiety about the match. At the moment we are fine, we are a group and I am mainly with Mudo, with Lucas, Regui and Escu. We get along very well and we try to smile and have a good time, trying to forget the context because it's a huge responsibility, but when it comes we'll be ready and you'll see".

Of course, he is very excited: "I'm very keen to play in such an important match for the Sevilla fans and for ourselves. We'll go into it naturally, respecting our opponents but going after them. We know they are very powerful but we are Sevilla FC and we are in the final for a reason". He also stated that his past spell at Inter will have no bearing on him: "Sincerely, as Sevilla are in the final, the opponents don't interest me. We will work on our own, think about ourselves, look at what they do and from there focus and be united, which is what has taken the team this far".

"I left, came back, and Sevilla always had me in their plans"

The break allowed the team to grow: "It is clear that after the lockdown we have seen a fighting Sevilla, which does not drop its arms and fights for every ball as if it were the last one. This is also down to the coaching staff and the hard work during lockdown to return in the best possible way". He also did not declare either side as favourites: "I think the match is a 50-50. It's a final and I think we will go out to bite as we always do. Of course, they won a semi final that seemed easy but it wasn't. We'll work to do things well and so that those mistakes that the Shakhtar had don't happen".

Banega really wants to see Navas lift the cup: "He's a local lad, who deserves it for everything he gives to the club and they'll struggle to be able to beat him in games with this shirt. I hope he can lift the title as captain. It would make us very proud because he deserves it". The midfielder also knows the absence of the fans will make a difference: "It would be incredible if they could be with us. I've been able to enjoy them many times and it's hard that they're not here. They will give us all their support from afar, we will feel it and we will fight for every ball until the final minute, they deserve it".

"Seeing Navas lifting the cup as captain would make us very proud"

The Argentine knows there are no more chapter and only wants to say farewell properly: "I'm emotional because the last 90 minutes are coming up. I'm relaxed now, but when those 90 minutes are up and hopefully we've won, I hope I can thank everyone. We're a family and every day I'm here I have a great time and I enjoy it a lot. You go home with a smile and that's very important for a footballer. I came back to stay for these three years, to fulfil my contract and the dream of playing another final. Now it's time to play and leave in the best possible way". He also asked the fans for one thing: "Let's all be together, them there and us here. Let's all pull together, because if we leave everything on the pitch, with attitude and concentration, the football will come out on its own and we will surely be able to do great things".