LOPETEGUI: "FOOTBALL PUNISHES YOU WHEN YOU DON'T START WELL"

30/01/2020

"We had chances to score at the start of the second half. We've suffered a defeat that has left us all very sad"

Sevilla FC's manager, Julen Lopetegui analysed the defeat in the Copa del Rey against CD Mirandés: "Without doubt it was an awful night - the worst of the season. We lost a match in a competition which we really wanted to do well in, and we wanted to go all the way in it. We knew that it would be difficult and complicated. We didn't play well in the first half, and from then on, things got even trickier. Things started to go against us and football punishes you when you don't start well".

The team didn't play like they had done in recent weeks: "We knew we weren't going to have a lot of chances to make our mark on the game, we wanted to do so by winning the second balls and that just didn't happen. For some reason we were very nervous at the start. We made a mistake which allowed them to score their first, and this only increased their energy and desire to win. The second goal was a disgrace. I'll repeat myself again, whenever you don't start a game well, these things usually happen".

Lopetegui emphasised the importance of starting every game well: "What you have seen up until this point doesn't count for anything in the future. It was all about not making any mistakes, but we left ourselves with an uphill battle". On the other hand, Lopetegui spoke about the three changes at half-time: "When a manager makes three changes at half-time, it's obvious that in the first half they made a mistake. The game needed something to happen in our favour and that's why I made the drastic change. We had chances to score at the start of the second half, which would have given us hope and a sense of calmness. We've suffered a defeat that has left us very sad".

Julen Lopetegui didn't hide his dismay of being knocked out of the cup: "It's a massive disappointment. The first ones who are annoyed are us. We ask the fans to forgive us and we apologise to them because we know the excitement they had around the cup. We weren't at a good enough level, and that starts with me. First of all, I have to apologise for this manner of defeat. The only thing we can do is continue to focus on the league and the Europa League, as they are two very important competitions for us. We want to finish as high up in the league as possible and go all the way in the Europa League".