First team

CASTRO: 'WE'RE ALMOST THERE, ONLY A POINT AWAY, BUT WE ARE AMBITIOUS'

28/11/2018

The president thanked the travelling Sevilla fans following the team's arrival in Belgium

José Castro, as is usual on European trips, attended the media on the team's arrival in Liège airport, evaluating the game tomorrow against Standard: 'We have to win here and against Krasnodar because we want to top the group. We're top as well in La Liga and that's not something you can often say on the thirteenth match day. We're on the up and we're all excited.' Furthermore, the team will be backed by more than 700 fans: 'It's great that they're going to be here, cheering us on. This is as a result of our great work in Europe and the league. We've played 25 games, being unbeaten in 80% of them and winning 68%, we're happy but let's keep our feet on the ground.'

Although a draw would be enough to put us through, Castro wants more: 'We're almost there, just a point away, but we're demanding by nature and we want to win and we'll see what happens. Things couldn't be going better in the league as we're top, but we're well aware that the tournament is long and demanding. It will be difficult, but our goal is to get into the Champions League. We're very ambitious but with our feet on the ground, we're focusing on the game here today and then the next one in Vitoria.'

Regarding the transfer window, he reiterated the same message: 'Our sporting team works nonstop and if there's any chance to improve the squad in the window we'll evaluate it. We're on our A game as this is an exciting season. If there's any change we need to push us on, we'll make it. I won't say any names as the market is coming closer and many will come out. The sporting team is focused on looking for options to improve the team. We'll do it if it's a good option and the coaching staff agree. Even still, with all the injuries we've had, we're top of the league.'

Finally, he was asked about the team's performance compared to what was expected at the start of the season: 'Let's not speak about the summer because the press was very hard with Sevilla. The new coaches, who had no holidays, needed to be left to their own work. I was confident in that we were doing the right thing and that it would turn out well, just like it is now.'