Sevilla FC coach Berizzo
First team

BERIZZO: "WE FOUND THE COHESION AND THE PACE WE WERE LOOKING FOR"

30/07/2017
The coach, who was very pleased, claimed that the team "is at stage 6 or 7" of their preparation

Berizzo leaves London very pleased. After defeating Arsenal in the Emirates Stadium, the Argentine did not hesitate to praise his team's work: "It was a very good game for us. We put pressure on our opponent in their own half, against a very quick team who we had to contain and make uncomfortable. In the second half we had more control of the ball and we chose to use our possession to attack. We created more and we found more depth. The lads up top were always looking to bring the ball forward and we found the cohesion and the pace that we have been looking for to win many things in the future".

The step forward, with respect to the first two friendlies, has been clear to see: "The matches in Japan were designed to work on the team's fitness and we were restless in that approach. Now we can take our time and choose how we play. We are at a good stage of our preparation. We are progressing and, being optimistic, we are at stage 6 or 7. Next weekend we have two very important matches to tweak things and continue developing".

"We are at a good stage of preparation"

There are a lot of players who now have a lot of momentum, which makes you think earning a starting place in the side will be very difficult: "In a team like ours the word 'squad' has a special meaning. Everyone has to be ready and we expect there to be a lot of competition, hopefully to the level needed to compete in the Champions League. We have to face the big task of navigating the playoff, and need everyone feeling like key players and understanding what we're playing for. The idea is to double up in positions and that gaps in the squad won't exist, and that the coach can draw upon anyone because everyone is ready".

Additionally, he explained his use of players like Lenglet and Pizarro outside of their usual positions: "I particularly like players who play in several positions. The decision I made with Lenglet was due to Escudero being tired, who is the only traditional left-back we have, and I opted to give him some rest. For a central player to play out wide is also to do with the suffering of another player. That was my thinking with Guido, because Carriço needed a rest".