First team

PAPU GÓMEZ: "SINCE THE FIRST DAY I'VE SEEN A VERY HUNGRY GROUP, HOPEFULLY WE CAN CELEBRATE A TITLE"

23/07/2022

The Argentine international spoke about pre-season, personal goals and the dressing room atmosphere

Papu Gómez believes that the club's pre-season preparations are going "very well" and that he and his teammates are "very hungry" ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.

The midfielder spoke positively about his first full pre-season at the club since joining from Atalanta BC in January 2021, and highlighted the positive impact of a week in South Korea thanks to both the climate and the opposition.

"Pre-season is going very well. We are working in the best way possible here. It was also like that in South Korea, even though it was difficult for us to adapt to the time zone and the climate, but we played well in our first match against Tottenham".

"I wasn't able to experience pre-season last year because I was coming back from the Copa América, and this is all new to me, so I'm very happy with the way we're working in all aspects. I think we'll be in good shape ahead of the first match".

"This isn't like what it used to be fifteen years ago. Back then we did nothing during our holidays and we suffered a lot in pre-season. Our way of working has also changed and we're more prepared for returning to action, we take more care with our meals and our rest so we suffer less".

"We have to take a step forward in European competitions"

For Papu, that is a good base ahead of another important campaign, in which he wants to see the team take a step forward in continental competition.

"This is going to be a very important season, we've got very clear objectives to to take Sevilla to the top as in recent years. Let's hope that it won't be marred by so many injuries and that we can enjoy this great squad".

"We have to take a step forward in European competitions, because the pace of LaLiga is not the same as in Europe, where you face teams that are very powerful physically. We have to see what we did wrong and improve and do very well in the competition, it's very important for the club, for the fans and for us".

"Julen is a vital part of the club. We all trust him, he is the leader of the group"

The Argentine then focused on key players in the squad, who were sorely missed last season due to injuries, and underlined the team's confidence in coach Julen Lopetegui as they look to enjoy another successful season.

"For us, Fernando is a key player because there are few players with his characteristics. The team noticed it when he was missing, and it also happened with others, such as Lamela and Suso".

"When you're missing a lot of players there comes a time when the team suffers. Fernando is back with us already and we're going to look after him very well".

"Julen is a vital part of the club. We all trust him, he is the leader of the group and we are very happy to continue working with him. We are all on board to keep moving forward".

"Since the first day I've seen a very hungry group, a very enthusiastic group. Hopefully this will be Sevilla's year and we can achieve important things and celebrate a title with our fans".

"Changing league after many years in Italy has rejuvenated me"

On a personal level, Papu is in high spirits and believes his move from Bergamo to Sevilla has been a positive one.

"I'm very happy because I feel that I've already adapted to the group, the club and the culture of Spanish football. I'm no longer starting from scratch but with a base, that's crucial. I'm enjoying it. I'm at a new age where you enjoy the smaller details because you know that the final years are beginning".

"Changing league after many years in Italy has rejuvenated me. It's a challenge too because you have to adapt to new situations, but it's made me grow and evolve, so in that aspect I'm very happy".

"I had some very good moments in Italy, and now at Sevilla and with Argentina. I hope it will carry on like this. We Argentines in particular have been used to that pressure since we were kids and that's why we play in the best teams in the world, we're used to that pressure, especially when things go wrong".

"The fans are there when the going gets tough"

To finish, Papu spoke about a personal goal for the season and wished to send a message to the fans.

"I was always a player that got lots of assists per season, but I didn't have that last season so I'd like to get more assists. If I can score more goals, I'd like that too. To do that, the support is key and I am grateful to the Sevilla fans for that because they have always supported me from the very first day".

"We can't complain about the fans. The Sánchez-Pizjuán always pulls forward and the fans are there when the going gets tough, although it is normal that sometimes they are not happy, it's normal at an ambitious club like Sevilla".

"We're going to try to give them the best we can. We ask them all to have confidence in us because we'll give our all for the club. We are going to die for this shirt".