Julen Lopetegui ahead of Real Valladolid-Sevilla FC

LOPETEGUI: 'REAL VALLADOLID HAVE TALENT AND OPTIONS IN ALL POSITIONS'

19/03/2021
'They lost against Real Madrid but they had chances to win it. We need to prepare for a tough game'

Sevilla FC coach Julen Lopetegui appeared before the media this Friday afternoon in the pre-match press conference ahead of tomorrow's game against Real Valladolid. Lopetegui began by saying 'I'm expecting a tough team, with good players and a talented and experienced coach. They have talent and options in all positions. They have a very complete squad and they are well coached. They are one of the strongest teams in their part of the table - they will push us to be at our best. They're also in good form: they did lose against Real Madrid but they had chances to win it. We need to prepare for a tough game.'

'An incredibly tough game awaits us and we will have to prepare to the maximum. We need the entire team to be fully prepared for the encounter. After that we will have the international break and we will try our best to have the team at its best for the following match. More than anything, we are focused and concentrating on tomorrow's match,' Lopetegui responded when asked about the upcoming international break.'

'An incredibly tough game awaits us and we will have to prepare to the maximum'

Our coach also stated 'we have played in various systems throughout the season. We always base our game plan to look for solutions in each individual game. We will see what we choose to do tomorrow, but we always try to make the most of our resources and adapt to the different opponents we have. I don't think the shape is as important as the players' performance and decision making.'

Julen discussed what shape his players found themselves in: 'Everyone is able to play tomorrow in theory. Fernando and Ocampos only took part in a section of the session and we will make the call tomorrow. There's also some other players who we'll have to make the decision on tomorrow as to whether they are ready or not.'

'We're all trying our best. The last thing the world needs in these difficult times is that us footballers complain about trivial things'

When asked about his comments at the end of Sevilla FC-Elche CF, Lopetegui responded: 'I'm not alone in what I said but I don't have the power to denounce anything. I just offered my opinion on a decision regarding my team. We all need to make an effort to adapt to these difficult and tough times. We are talking about the health and lives of human beings. In football, there has been an incredibly congested calendar and the players have no larger lungs than in previous seasons. But we move on and accept it: the last thing the world needs in these difficult times is that us footballers complain about trivial things.'

To finish, Julen praised the recent form of Sevilla Atlético and wished them well for their clash this weekend: 'We're obviously keeping up with Gallardo and his team's great work. I hope they get the reward they deserve. They're a really young team and that speaks volumes of the work they're doing. They are players for the present and the future.'