LOPETEGUI: "REAL VALLADOLID ARE IN A CLEAR ASCENDENCY IN TERMS OF RESULTS AND CONFIDENCE"

18/12/2020

"Jesús Navas has completed one part of training and we will assess him tomorrow"

Julen Lopetegui, Sevilla FC manager, gave his pre-match press conference at midday on Friday ahead of the home match against Real Valladolid CF. He began by stating that "they are in a clear ascendency in terms of results and confidence. They are in very good form and and are amongst those who have improved their squad the most compared to last year, they have lots of alternatives and quality. They're well-drilled tactically and will oblige to put in a lot of effort".

"Last year, this was a very complicated match for us. They've had a very consolidated management for many years and it's at a very high level. They compete well, and in the matches they lost against Atlético de Madrid and Real Madrid, they had chances to take the lead and they were always in the match", continued Lopetegui as he spoke about tomorrow's opponents.

"We'll see what we'll do with the squad and starting eleven tomorrow, we still have many hours ahead of us"

The manager then focused on selection issues: "We have players with injuries and knocks. Jesús Navas has completed one part of training and we'll look at him tomorrow, it's a 9pm kick off. We'll see what we'll do with both the squad and starting eleven but yes, we've got players missing. We are focused on dealing with the immediate, which is tomorrow's game. At the same time we'll try to get as many players back as possible so we have more alternatives. The transfer window is still far away and the time for that will come. Right now we are focused on Valladolid".

Lopetegui then spoke about the team's desire to win every match: "In the dressing room, they are all keen to win every match, whether it's home or away, regardless of the competition. Their excitement and desire is very strong. The fact we have to play without fans is an important aspect, you don't have that extra energy at home, but everything else is the same wherever we go. We have so much excitement to get the points that are up for grabs".

"There is a journey to be made and the most immediate thing is the next match, the maths come later on"

To finish, the manager spoke about the importance of going one game at a time: "None of them are deflating and there is nothing definitive about anything. The only valid thing is when the season ends, which is the moment of truth. What there is is a journey to be made and the only thing that obliges you to be focused and ready is the next match. It is a cliché but it's true. The maths come later on. All teams are in the middle of the competition, of overcoming difficulties and focusing only on the next game".