Sevilla FC's manager, Julen Lopetegui gave his press conference before the match against Athletic Club de Bilbao after the open training session this morning: "La Liga continues and we have a difficult match coming up, against a great side with a lot of quality, structure and physical presence. I always say that they're going to require us to be at our best, but this time it's true 100%. We have to be prepared to face them".
Lopetegui confirmed that he wasn't going to place "too much importance on anything that is not in our hands. Everyone is available for selection and there is no fresh injury concerns. I don't care what's happening around us, what interests me is the match tomorrow. There are three very important points on offer tomorrow, and whatever thing that could distract us is not going to be welcome on my part".
"It's as good for the team as it is for the fans, that this relationship exists between everyone"
Talking about the open training session, Lopetegui said: "these showers of affection are very important, as is the fact that the fans can have this relationship with the team. It's good for everyone. They help us and give us energy. I'm not surprised, but rather pleased. Now, we have to return this love and affection to them by playing a great game tomorrow against a side who have conceded the least goals in the league".
"Nolito has recovered, and has trained well and we will decide if he will play a part in tomorrow's game or not in the coming hours".
"Athletic are a very reliable team and have a great structure"
Lopetegui spoke again about the strength of their opponent tomorrow: "Athletic always push you to your limits. They're very reliable, with a great structure and they can play each game in a different manner".
"The points we have up until this point are now in the past. The ones that matter are the ones that are still up for grabs. This is the reality if we want to be competitive and ambitious. Looking back only distracts you. We're only concentrating on what is yet to come".
"The only thing that will make us a better team is concentrating about the game on hand tomorrow"
For Lopetegui, tomorrow is another step along the road: "We're not going to be looking at statistics . We'll be looking at the present and in what we can do in the future. The team has its strengths and weaknesses, just like everyone. We will try to be pragmatic and effective in order to continue along the path we're on. It's kilometre 19 of this 38 kilometre marathon. The only thing that will make us a better team is concentrating about the game on hand tomorrow".
Lopetegui finished off by saying: "Every player trains well and are ready for tomorrow. We have to make the decisions and touch wood that we don't get any more injuries, and that we continue having this internal competition. There's no doubt that we're going to need everyone".
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