NAVAS: “WE DESERVE TO LIFT THE CUP AFTER SUCH A DIFFICULT YEAR”

17/08/2020

The captain was full of pride as he spoke to 'Sólo el Sevilla' on SFC Radio, after last night's UEFA Europa League semi final win

Jesús Navas, captain, living legend and standard bearer of Sevilla FC, is full of satisfaction and pride after what the team achieved on Sunday against Manchester United: reaching another final, the nineteenth in less than fifteen years for the club, which will give Lopetegui's men the chance to lift their sixth UEFA Europa League trophy. He featured on 'Sólo el Sevilla' on SFC Radio at lunchtime today to speak about the season: "It's been a difficult year for everyone and you can see the unity that there is on and off the pitch. The team is overcoming every difficult moment and it's something to be very proud of. Being in another final is very great. It's been a difficult year and the team deserve it. Seeing how the team gives everything for this badge is something we should all be very proud of"

For the captain, the key is "the unity, we feel very strong ahead of problems and you can see it. I hope we can win this final, it would be very great for our fans and for everyone, because the whole world is going through a difficult spell. The group we've formed gives it their all, you can see it. We all deserve to be in this final".

"Giving the fans the joy of lifting the cup would be a great thing"

And, by lifting the cup, Navas knows who he would dedicate it to: "The fans are always with us and giving them that joy would be a great thing. The same for our families, it would be a very nice. We're keen on everything, lifting the trophy all together after a difficult year. We all deserve to lift it".

"The team grows in the face of difficulties and yesterday they knew how to wait for their moment"

He also offered his thoughts on yesterday's comeback win against Manchester United, where he set up De Jong's winner with a sensational cross: "We faced a very good opponent who made things difficult for us, but the team knew how to fight until the end and it's that fight that we're all proud of. It was a pleasure to make that pass, but there was still a lot to do. We were calm, we knew how to play the match and we managed it well. When the match finished, the satisfaction was enormous. The confidence we have, how we worked throughout the year, in every match... In the face of difficulties, the team grows, they knew how to wait for their moment, because we knew we'd have it, and it was like that".

At the final whistle, Navas hugged Banega tearfully... "He deserves it too, him and all our teammates. But it's incredible how he's giving his all. It makes him great and the fans will never forget it. We cried with happiness, about such a difficult year and seeing how the team gives everything. The fans have to be very proud of all of us".

"Lopetegui has a key role, he helps us a lot on and off the pitch"

He also praised the manager, Julen Lopetegui: "He has a key role, not just on the pitch, but off it too. He helped us a lot in moments were we pressed back and what he brings to us is very great. Then, on the pitch, he helps us, gives us all desire and passion... His ideas are what we carry out".

"I am happy playing football, I love what I do and I give my all for Sevilla FC"

"I hope we can win it. We should be calm because we know it will be a tough, difficult match, but we'll go with all our excitement and go for it", said the man from Los Palacios. He finished by stating that "I am happy playing football, I love what I do and I give my all for Sevilla FC. I have this excitement every day, giving my all for this badge is the best and I enjoy it here... I'm proud of everything. It's the love for this sport, how I live it all. I want to keep growing, achieving success, and that's what makes me be there".