QUIQUE SÁNCHEZ FLORES: "IF WE HAD PULLED A GOAL BACK WE WOULD HAVE BEEN BACK IN IT"

Quique Sánchez Flores was keen to highlight his side's effort despite the defeat to Athletic Club.

Speaking after the match, the coach stated that "The thing that hurts most is not competing, as has happened in previous matches and that hurt us. However, today we competed despite the difficulty, we faced up to it and we were aggressive out wide before conceding, with crosses from deep... It was a blow to concede twice in two minute, but then we had chances to get back into the match. If we had pulled a goal back we would have been back in it and we could have got a different result."

"Aside from those two minutes, we tested their keeper and ended up facing eleven shots in total, while we managed eight or nine. It's to be expected, this is a very tough place to come to and they're a side with confidence, they've had a great season, they defend with a high line and make you think very quickly. I think we stood up, competed and turned in a respectable performance for the badge."

Quique also wished to focus on Manu Bueno's performance: "It was superb. I have high hopes for the lad. In a double pivot you have to put in a huge effort to be involved in build-up play and winning the ball. He made a superb impression. These lads who do everything you ask of them are truly invaluable for Sevilla."

Attentions now turn to the last match of the season: "We have to go out there and finish the season off. There have been very difficult moments, spells that have been uncomfortable and have felt long, and we would have liked to have picked up more points. In some matches we have relaxed too much and what we want to do is compete against Barcelona and produce a good performance."