First team

MONTELLA: "WE HAVE TO MAKE BAYERN DO THINGS THEY'RE NOT USED TO"

02/04/2018
The coach discussed Wissam Ben Yedder possibly starting and said he would wait until the last minute to evaluate the fitness of Mercado and Jesús Navas

Vincenzo Montella spoke to the media this Monday ahead of Sevilla FC's Champions League quarter-final first-leg with Bayern Munich: "We always work looking to improve. I always expect the team to do so, regardless of the level of the opponent. Whoever it is, my conviction is always the same". "Bayern are accustomed to scoring a lot of goals, to having the ball. We have to do the same so we make them do things they're not used to". He also showed calm about physical demands following Saturday: "I'm not worried about it. Your head is what moves your legs and the team is motivated. Maybe Mercado's and Navas' fitness worry me a bit but it's something we'll evaluate tomorrow". 

Banega is suspended, something that little can be done about: "He won't play and he's a player with very clear qualities. It's something we can't change and I'm convinced that the player who replaces him will do well". Before recognising Ben Yedder's chances in the starting eleven, Montella also praised Muriel: "He's grown a lot in these years and it's true he needs to improve in the opposition's box but he has huge potential". 

The Italian didn't hide that runs like this have their cost but said it was something you have to expect: "When you're in this kind of competition, opponents demand a lot of your mental and physical energy. We paid for it in La Liga but I like this situation and I think we're used to playing every three days against top opponents. It helps us reach a better level so we can take advantage of the talent of the team".

"When you go through in this kind of competition, opponents demand a lot mentally and physically but we're used to it now"

He also wanted to explain the Director of Football's latest quotes on recent arrivals: "I know how communications works and you have to contextualise it. I have an excellent relationship with Óscar and we planned out January together. They're all getting to a better physical level because Sandro didn't play and even didn't train for a while with his side. We're getting them to the level of the team and then there are coaching and tactical decisions. I believe in Sandro, Roque Mesa and Layún, the last of whom is playing. They still have time to prove their worth". 

He was also asked for an evaluation of Jupp Heynckes: "He's very practical. He doesn't blow smoke, he does things simply but with order and in a linear way. His teams clearly understand him". But Montella acknowledged tomorrow was a historic night: "We've already made history, or at least I think. We're going to play with everything until the end and we want to make history with the Club and with our fans, who as always will help us". 

In that regard, he knows that the crowd will be at their best: "This is another level, different to La Liga and the first Europa League rounds, though the later ones get closer to this. You experience a special atmosphere and the crowd will be ready". Finally, he commented on the rogue petition of some fans calling for Barcelona to not be allowed to play in the Copa del Rey Final: "I hope they can play like they did in the first minutes on Saturday and not like in the last... that's to say, without Messi".