MENDILIBAR: "WE WERE A TEAM, WHEN ONE PLAYER COULDN'T, HIS TEAMMATE HELPED HIM OUT"

The manager of Sevilla FC, José Luis Mendilibar, spoke to the press following his team's victory, meaning they reach the final of the UEFA Europa League: "We got through it today. We dominated and created chances. They did cause us problems before they scored. They got themselves in front and it looked very difficult, against an Italian side, to get back in the game but we were able to. A great goal from Suso made the scores level. At the start of extra time we scored and then we were able to hold our lead. We stood firm when it was eleven versus eleven. With a man down it was a bit more difficult. We have won and we are in the final."

The man from the Basque Country emphasised how well his players did: "In games like these, the players know that have to run to get in front. What gives you strength is your mindset. We were together as a team. When one player couldn't, his teammates helped him out, which is the most important thing."

Furthermore, he showed his surprise with how impressive the atmosphere was in the Andalusian capital on the morning of the match: "I went to collect my son from the airport and when I was coming back, Nervión was rocking. When the game started, I didn't realise what was happening. Before kick-off I said to the physio that I had never seen an atmosphere like it anywhere. It was extraordinary. The fans helped us reach the final." 

"Right now we are only thinking about this match and the final"

Asked about the derby, the next league game, Mendilibar focused his attention on the victory against Juventus FC: "We didn't look ahead of this match. This was the most important game for us. Tomorrow, we will think about the next one. Right now we are only thinking about this match and the final." Finally, he showed his satisfaction with the work carried out by the players since his arrival: "It looks like we have had more time than what we have actually had. In these two months we have played like it looks I've been here for a year. There are many games to come and only ten days until the end of the season. Everything goes so quickly and there's no time to stop and think. What we have to do is think about the next match. This is what has driven us to get here today."