LOPETEGUI: 'ELCHE BEAT US LAST SEASON SO IT WILL BE A TOUGH GAME'

27/08/2021

The coach gave his thoughts on the Champions League group, the rumours surrounding Koundé as well controversy over the South-American international call ups.

Julen Lopetegui addressed the media on Friday before travelling to Alicante for tomorrow's game against Elche at the Martínez Valero Stadium: 'It's been quite a short week, we played on Monday and we're playing again tomorrow. We have to plan differently and adapt to prepare as best as possible. Things have been going well, and we're ready for a tough match against a team that beat us well last season and have kept improving. Their system might be slightly different, but we're expecting the same style of football. They're a physical, quick and organised team.'

The coach said that the team will face a difficult game tomorrow against a tough opponent: 'You could argue that Athletic were the fitter team as a result of their preseason, but Elche outplayed them and they deserved to win in my opinion. Tomorrow will be a tough game for us. We need to prepare ourselves well because that's the only way that we can compete against them.'

Lopetegui also gave his thoughts on the Champions League draw, which took place yesterday: 'I wasn't watching the draw because what will be will be. It will be a tough and difficult group, like every group in the Champions League. We're up against the reigning French champions, the current Bundesliga leaders as well as a team who played well against Atlético last year. It will be a difficult and tight group, but that's what we expect in the Champions League.'

'We're up against the reigning French champions and the current Bundesliga leaders'

'As a coach for a club like Sevilla, you have to try and deliver. The main thing is to compete and try and go as far in every competition. Secondly, work hard and continue the relationship that we have with the Academy. Jules is a perfect example, he arrived here when he was just a child and now he's a French international, who is highly sought after. I don't know what will happen because it depends on the club. If he leaves, we will only have two centre-backs which is quite concerning. We have faith in Monchi, but time is against us and these things are not straight-forward. At the moment, all our focus is on Elche tomorrow and the players need to be switched on throughout the game.'

He also spoke about the problems arising from the international call-ups for some of his players, in particular the South-Americans: 'It is only fair that clubs allow their players to play for their national teams, but as long as they can then still play for their teams. The problem we have is that our players will not be able to play in our games if they go on international duty. It is quite a sensitive matter because it is not the players' fault. I can completely understand the club's point of view, and at the end of the day, we are looking for an agreement which is fair and reasonable.'

'Ocampos' injury is more serious than we had hoped and Óliver is also injured'

Confirming the absence of Óliver due to injury, the coach also mentioned Ocampos: 'Ocampos is out for longer than we would have wanted, so we're going to wait and see. He's an important player for us and hopefully he will be with us as soon as possible. We have a few other problems that we will assess between today and tomorrow so currently, I'm not going to comment.'

Lopetegui concluded by talking about Elche: 'Benedetto is a very good signing for them, as well as Omar Mascarell. They have a very good team and we have to be fully focused tomorrow and give it our all. We know that we will have to be at our best tomorrow. We've seen them play, in particular at home against Athletic, when they were very dangerous and we need to be prepared.'