PABLO SANZ: "THE PLAYERS KNOW US WELL AND KNOW HOW THEY HAVE TO PLAY AGAINST CELTA"

On account of Lopetegui's absence due to illness, it meant Pablo Sanz was in charge of addressing the media as he will take charge of the team again this weekend, as he did at the Mestalla. First and foremost, the first question was about the boss' state of health: "I've spoke with him and he is better than yesterday. We hope we can get him back as soon as possible." 

Notably, it seems as though the increasing number of absentees is showing in the dressing room: "You all already know it has been a few complicated months due to so many absences, covid and injuries. The other day we were only able to make two changes to the first team and let's see tomorrow if we can get one of them back. We still don't know." Primarily, Sanz spoke about Dmitrovic and Gudelj: "We are confident that the tests will be negative, hopefully they'll be there. Those are the doubts we have. There have been many days to recover, but the ones that played in Valencia are fine."

In regards to arrivals, it is left up to the sporting directors: "We are managing with the absences and the Óscar and Idrissi exits. Hopefully one more will come, but this is up to Monchi and he is doing his job." Talking about the game, Sanz commented on how demanding this season is: "It is a tight schedule, Celta come tomorrow who didn't play in the cup and since the season started, we've been a little on edge. However, this team knows how to overcome difficulties. We are showing this and we hope to keep this up and get the three points." 

Sanz also spoke about the players and of the dangerous Celta attack: "We are coming up against tough opponents in good form who have won three of their last four. They have great players and a good attacking line. One of those great players is Aspas. However, there is also Brais, Denis, Nolito, Cervi...They have a great coach and this is being demonstrated. It is a dangerous team, both home and away. They punish your missed chances, and if you have many, this set of players can really punish you for it." In respect to Lopetegui's absence, Sanz assured that "he trusts his staff and it's better for him to take care of himself and be at ease at home. Obviously he is the leader of this team and we talk about many things, but the players already know us well and know they have to play well against Celta tomorrow. I am not nervous at all. This is a game for the players and we trust them." 

"We are confident that the tests will be negative, hopefully they'll be there"

 

Sanz also commented on Diego Carlos and the transfer rumours: "I think it's good. He is a mature guy and against Valencia he played great so I am calm with all this. He is concentrated and in good form, I hope he is here for a few more years with us. From here on out, it is something we can't control." Sanz referred to the whistles directed at Jordán at the Mestalla: "I didn't hear many, but if there were, I think it is pitiful. A player victimised to then be whistled at, it's surprising. We need to regulate this and judge it upon it's seriousness...We are living in a surprising world."

Four of the Argentinian boys have been called up to the national team which shows how high the level of play is at Sevilla FC, but it also means the legs accumulating more minutes: "The managers don't organise the season's schedule. We are happy for Lucas and the other three but it is clear that the football calendar pushes them to the limit. The dates are what they are and that's that." Lastly, on Jesús Navas, Sanz told that "we have to take it day by day. He is trying to get back to full fitness as soon as possible, but it will depend on how he feels. We want him back because he is really important to us."  There is no alternative but to go for the win: "The team had a good game in Valencia and if you look at the chances we had, we deserved to win. Sometimes, you don't deserve to win and pull it off and other times you don't, but end up drawing them. Nonetheless, the team is doing fine, confident and await tomorrow's game with an eagerness to win."