RAFA MIR, ON ABP: "THEY KNOW THAT WE ARE SEVILLA FC, WE ARE EXCITED"

Rafa Mir was the guest on the latest episode of 'A Balón Parado', for Sevilla FC Television. Ahead of the journey to Manchester for the away leg in the quarter-final of the UEFA Europa League, the Sevilla striker started by analysing the draw against Celta de Vigo: "It was a shame, we did very well for seventy minutes with a man less. At the end of the game, you are left feeling empty because you leave everything on the pitch and its difficult to get your spirits back up so soon after."

Speaking about the current situation of the club in the league table, the striker preferred to emphasise the work that the squad are putting in every day: "I think that we can't look at that too much, we have just got to focus on what we are doing everyday to improve. We have a great squad, we are unchanged from last year when we qualified for the Champions League and the season before, when we made history. We have to put things in context."

Rafa Mir also looked toward the next league match against Valencia CF: "Mestalla is a fortress. We have a tremendous team and fanbase that always support us. We have all got to be together. It's still a bad time for us, we have got to be honest. From now, we need to turn things around."

"We are the same squad that qualified for the Champions League last season"

Rafa Mir, after last season when he played a lot and scored several goals, highlighted the importance of developing the mental side to his game: "I miss scoring like I miss playing so often. I'm still going through a tough period, but I am working hard and focusing every day. I know that I am still engaged, I have not lost any enthusiasm. I am at a massive club and I still have four and a half years left on my contract. I am waiting for my opportunity. When things aren't going well, you have to be patient because these things change."

The player also gave his view on Pape Gueye's red card: "It's a very harsh red card. In Spain we see more red cards than in other countries. You can't send someone off for so little. Everyone has their own opinion though. You should speak to the players before you leave a team one man down."

Finally, he delved into the European tie against Manchester United: "They are Manchester United, but they also know that we are Sevilla FC, we have six Europa Leagues in the trophy cabinet. That deserves respect. We are going there believing in what we can do. We are excited. I have played in some very important matches, but every time I put the jersey on I treat it as just another match. Whether that be a normal league game or the World Cup final."