Sergio Escudero of Sevilla FC
First team

ESCUDERO: "THIS IS THE PERFECT CHANCE TO MAKE HISTORY"

20/02/2018
The right-back declared himself really motivated for the game, which will see Sevilla up against an incredible opponent with top-class players

Sergio Escudero spoke to the media ahead of Montella’s Champions League return. The Spanish full-back declared: “The team is extremely motivated, and tomorrow is the perfect chance to reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League and make history. To see off Manchester United, we must play at our best level because we are facing a top-class opponent with some of the best players in the world”. 

Escudero also recognised that having the “favourites” label according to the UEFA’s ranking “serves as a motivation” but “getting positive results is more important”. “We are going to try to get through and give a top performance”. On Pogba possibly not being in the Manchester United starting eleven, he added: “We can’t just focus on him, Manchester have a lot of great players and we have to be focused on all of them”.

Though his role has traditionally been on the wing, he spoke about Navas, who now plays on the opposite flank at right-back. “He has played a lot in this position and he has showed that his performance has not got worse. He said being the underdogs for the English media serves “as a motivation for all” and “ we are ready to show that we can get through”. 

"I've been dreaming about matches like this from a young age"

As a professional player, he recognised that tomorrow will be a special day: “Since I was a child I dreamt about games like tomorrow, with the stadium erupting and against a top opponent like Manchester United”. The Spanish full-back also highlighted the importance of  Manchester United’s last acquisition in the transfer window, Alexis Sánchez: “We know him from Barcelona. He is fast, intelligent and he could be decisive if we don’t cover him well”.

The former Getafe player also talked about the prospect of missing out on the second leg through suspension: “I am not concerned about it, when you step foot on the pitch, you must do your best”. Moreover, he won’t show any hesitation if the chance appears to shoot from outside the box if necessary to get through the well-organised English defence. “It is another way of scoring, but we should stick to our way of playing which has brought us here”. He also highlighted: “We have to continue playing our game, because this is what has brought us here".  

Finally, he made clear that the fans already know the importance of the match: “They have been supporting us since the beginning of the season and they as excited for this game as us. I am sure that they are going to be there and push us over the line”