SAMPAOLI: "THEY COUNTER-ATTACK VERY WELL AND ARE GOOD WITHOUT THE BALL"

Sevilla FC coach Jorge Sampaoli spoke at midday on Friday at the press conference ahead of the visit of RCD Mallorca to the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán on Saturday: "We are coming to the game with the same enthusiasm as we do for every other game. They come here motivated after beating Real Madrid at home. They take advantage of the breakdowns of possession in the matches and create a lot of problems. There are some unfortunate injuries after the game against Barcelona, such as Acuña, Rekik and Jordán. Jesús Navas has recovered but has only had two training sessions. We'll see who we have available, but they have to be at 100 per cent, regardless of who they are," he said.

"Montiel's performance has to do with the team's performance. When the team is dominant and plays in the opposition's half, he is crucial, because he generates a lot on his wing. Without the ball, when he doesn't receive support, this does not suit his style of play. He is an Argentine international, he has to adapt to a new way of playing and I am confident that he will develop a lot at this level", he responded when questioned about Gonzalo Montiel.

"This will be a game in which we have to show patience in the way we attack so as to make their defence struggle"

Speaking about Mallorca, Sampaoli highlighted how: "They counter-attack very well and they are comfortable without the ball. They have Muriqi who is very good at playing the ball out to the wing and playing in crosses to the center. We have got to keep Muriqi away from our goal and this will happen if we are the more dominant side. We need to remember that every game is different and we will be made to suffer. In Barcelona we ought to have played a different way. Tomorrow we will have to be more clinical, win more duels, because this will be a game in which we have to show patience in the way we attack so as to make their defence struggle. If not, we will be neutralised."

The manager ended by saying: "I do not change my style neither after a victory nor a loss. I am worried when we are not in form, but I don't have that feeling at the minute. Mallorca were comfortably beaten by Cádiz but then defeated Real Madrid. There is not much time to analyse, we have got to be ready for any team in any place. We have to remember who we are and stay true to that, regardless of whether this result is a positive or negative one."