Carriço celebrates a goal with his teammates

First team

CARRIÇO: "WE KNEW THIS GAME WAS VERY IMPORTANT FOR OUR SEASON"

30/08/2018

The captain insists that "it was an intense game and we knew that they would press hard, but we kept our focus and intensity to control the game"

Daniel Carriço, who captained the side in the win against Sigma Olomouc, praised the good work done to seal progress to the group stages of the Europa League: "It was an intense game, we knew that they would press hard for 90 minutes but we kept our focus and intensity to control the game, and we also managed to get the goals. In the Europa League there are no easy matches, everyone wants to play in this competition and we knew that this match was very important for our season. We had to get through no matter what and we got it done".

Even in August, the fans are crucial: "The supporters are very important for us, they encourage us and make it harder for the opposition. We have to thank them for their support because they have been great". He was also happy with his own performance: "I haven't played for a couple of weeks but I felt good. The team was good and that always helps you."

They can now start thinking about the Europa League, but before that, the big derby on Sunday: " We will see who we get in the draw, but now we have to put the Europa League to one side because on Sunday we have a very special match for us and for our people. It's a different game and we have to make sure everyone is fully focused, because some of the new players may not know exactly what it means. Players like Navas, Banega, Escudero and myself, we know it well. We have won many and we want to keep on winning".