Julen Lopetegui speaks in front of the press

First team

LOPETEGUI: "I'M EXPECTING A TOUGH GAME"

26/10/2019

The Sevilla FC manager spoke in front of the press ahead of tomorrow's game against Getafe CF

This afternoon, Julen Lopetegui gave his press conference ahead of tomorrow's game against Getafe CF at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán, which kicks off at 18.30. He was asked about Getafe's style of play and responded by saying he expects "a tough game, one that is complicated against an opponent who competes well all over the pitch, who have quality players and are well organised". Lopetegui made it clear that his team were coming into the game only thinking about getting the three points: "We have to prepare ourselves to play this game and be able to impose our own style on them. We have to be at our best all over the park to beat Getafe".

Lopetegui spoke about possible changes to the team, as in the next week there are games against Getafe, Valencia and Atlético de Madrid: "We're only focusing on Getafe. It's a far too important and difficult game to think about anything else, and the only thing we're focused on tomorrow is giving the best account of ourselves against a team who will try to stop us, and demand a lot of us".

"I'm not going to talk about what might happen"

On the other hand, Lopetegui also wanted to avoid any gossip about who might lead the line tomorrow against Getafe: "I'm not going to talk about what might happen. We'll focus on what we know we can do best so that things go well for us, and nothing more".

Speaking about Getafe's manager José Bordalás and the problems he had been facing recently, Lopetegui was quick to defend the work done by his counterpart and explained that Getafe "are a team who have a very clear idea of how they want to play, and they are very well organised".

"We have to try to play our own game and counteract what they do also"

Getafe were one of the teams who had the beating of Sevilla FC at the Sánchez-Pizjuán last season; however, Lopetegui didn't place too much importance in this: "We have to try and play our own game and counteract what they do. We have to think about the things we do well and encourage one another. Obviously, we respect every single opponent, but we are only focused on ourselves and want to give a good account of ourselves".

As regards to the good win on Thursday night in the Europa League over F91 Dudelange and the possible positive impact it could have on the team, Lopetegui said that, "the European game is now ancient history" and that the squad is "full of energy and only thinking about tomorrow's encounter".

"The team must be prepared to play wherever and whenever needed"

Lopetegui was also asked about the injuries to Sergi Gómez and Carriço and if this would pose the team a problem: "What we know is that we have two centre-backs who aren't fit at the moment. Unfortunately, they got bad enough injuries and we hope that they will be back in to help us as soon as possible; as we have a lot of games coming up over the next few days and weeks. We will give as much help as much as possible to the players who have slight problems, in order to get them back into the fold soon".

Finally, he spoke about the fact that the team will have played three consecutive games at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán: "We will try to make the most of the energy that the fans give us. However, the most important thing is that the team are ready to play wherever and whenever needed".