LAMELA: "DINAMO ZAGREB WILL BE VERY MOTIVATED AND HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE"

Erik Lamela spoke to 'Solo el Sevilla' on Sevilla FC Radio on Wednesday afternoon, ahead of the UEFA Europa League clash with Dinamo Zagreb. He started by talking about his recovery from injury: "I'm feeling better and getting closer to playing. It's been a longer injury than we expected when it happened, we thought it would be a matter of five or six days, but I had to have surgery. It was tough for me, but now there's not long to go. I've been through worse and this will just be another story". 

"I started the season off very well and I knew I had more to give. The injury didn't come at a good time but that's football, this happens sometimes and you have to accept it. I'm working very hard to recover as soon as possible and leave this all behind. I support the team in matches from wherever I am and I always go to the stadium if I can. I get anxious because I really want to play and being injured is the worst. I'm proud that this team is overcoming everything, despite so many injuries. I think they're playing very well, it's a strong squad. We've been very unlucky with injuries but the team always competes in the best possible way and gets things done without relying on one player, they rely on the team as a whole", he continued.

"We can't hold anything back for Sunday, Dinamo are strong at home"

The Argentine then spoke about our UEL opponents, GNK Dinamo Zagreb. Last season, they overcame a two-goal deficit from the first leg to knock out his side, Tottenham: "We have to take tomorrow's match seriously regardless of the fact that the match on Sunday is just around the corner, just because of what it means. We can't hold anything back for Sunday. We have to focus 100% on this match and take it seriously. We played there behind closed doors due to the pandemic, but you could really hear their fans from outside the ground, they're strong there. We controlled the first 60 minutes well until they scored, then it was a completely different match". 

"We had two chances to score in the first half, which would have meant they would have had to score four. Football comes down to moments, but if you don't kill the tie off you have to be focused because anything can happen. That's what happened. In the second half they got a goal out of nowhere and then it felt like they were playing with fifteen players. It's a very tough ground to visit, the fans really get behind them and this will be their most important match of the year. Even after they lost 3-1 last week, they'll be very motivated and they'll try as hard as they can, they have nothing to lose. We have to be very focused and if we can score it'll be even better", he added. 

"I feel very comfortable in Seville, it feels like I've been here for years. I'm very happy"

He then spoke about the squad depth at the club and the Puskas Award he received for his rabona last season: "It really got my spirits up, it was a nice touch. I'll keep it at home as a memory. The competition for places is good, I've always had it and it's good for both me and the team. It means nobody relaxes and you've got options". 

To finish, Lamela spoke about the Argentina national team and his teammates in that squad, and how they experience it at Sevilla: "I see my teammates going away with the national team, it's deserved because they're having a great year and they really represent the country well. Hopefully in the future all (five) of us can go, but my priority is recovering so I can help the team. This is what I expected of Sevilla, they're competitive, they're up there in all competitions. I feel very comfortable in Seville, it feels like I've been here for years, I'm very happy. I hope to be back out on the pitch soon".