LOPETEGUI: "WE'VE EARNED THE RIGHT TO BE IN THE UCL AND WE WANT TO ENJOY IT"

Julen Lopetegui was keen to stress that his team had "earned the right to be in the Champions League" ahead of their first match in the competition, at home to Manchester City tomorrow night.

The coach spoke alongside Suso at the official pre-match press conference, and he got things underway by speaking about the team's excitement on the eve of their European opener.

"We're very excited, it's a new competition which we've earned the right to be in for a third consecutive season, we're facing an excellent team in the biggest club competition. We've earned the right to be here and we want to enjoy it by playing well."

"We tried to balance the squad based on what lies ahead"

Next up was the official squad list for the tournament, which sees Óliver Torres miss out due to the limit on the size of the squad.

"We had to leave out one player because we couldn't register everyone. It's not very nice for him, he's an excellent professional. I'm sure he'll try to turn the situation around. It was going to be an unfair decision for whoever missed out and we tried to balance the squad based on what lies ahead and players who are unavailable."

Lopetegui also commented on the difficult start to the season.

"We're focused on the next game and we're facing a top-class team, one of the best in the world, Haaland makes them more complete, but if we start to talk about City we won't finish. We're focusing on ourselves and playing well, improving on what we can do well and trying to find the energy and confidence in spite of the difficulties of the Champions League."

"Fernando and Lamela couldn't train today"

The coach knows it's key for the team to be stronger in both areas, and discussed team selection issues.

"Against Barcelona I think we had more than 15 good minutes. We had a spell when we weren't effective and they really well. We need to give people more minutes and be more effective, what happens in the two areas determine what you do on the rest of the pitch. That's rule number one in football."

"Fernando and Lamela couldn't train today. We'll wait until tomorrow because they both put in a lot of effort on Saturday and we have to wait until we decide, as with Karim who's just coming back. We'll decide based on what we need."

"It's easier to manage everything when you win, but when you lose I think the team has been strong. Given the circumstances, the team have shown possibilities of overcoming good sides at times, and they want to grow in the face of adversity. I want to highlight that about the team."

"If you have a lung and a heart ripped out of you, you have to try to build new ones and compete. We'll try to insist up front. If four is not enough, we'll try to build eight and be stronger in defence. The world of football, as I've said is managed in the areas. The team will improve collectively and do things as a team."

"Our fans have shown us on countless occasions that they're always with the team"

Lopetegui then commented on whether his counterpart in the City dugout, Pep Guardiola, is the best in the world.

"I think so. It's tough to stay who's the best or the worst, but from my perspective, in a very complex world, he's been able to continue to do what he does and keep growing at every team."

To finish, the coach did not want to send a message in particular to the fans.

"Our fans make the difference and I'm sure they'll help us again tomorrow. I don't have to send them any message because I know them well and they have shown us on countless occasions that they're always with the team, especially in the first UCL match."