MENDILIBAR: "THIS MATCH WAS CRUCIAL BECAUSE WE WERE PLAYING AGAINST A DIRECT RIVAL"

The manager of Sevilla FC, José Luis Mendilibar, analysed his side's important victory against Valencia CF to the official club media: "We have a bit more breathing room now. This match was crucial because we were playing against a direct rival. We did not play well in the first half, they created more opportunities. In the second half we were still not at our best, but we were able to score two goals."

The Sevilla coach praised how clinical his team was in front of goal: "Our play was far from perfect, we struggled to combine well up the pitch. The first was from a set-piece, and the second was a great finish from Suso, which put us in the driving seat. This is what we are capable with the squad we have. Although we haven't played well, the quality is always there. We are being more efficient when we have a chance to go for goal, we have scored two goals in every game and that is what is rejuvenating our season." 

"We hope that we can unleash ourselves from the chains that were holding us back. Valencia is a team with good players, but they didn't score against us today and that is why they lost the match in the end. It's what has been happening to Sevilla FC until now. ​​​​​​​We want to show the quality of this group of players as we move forwards, not just in terms of goals but also through the style of play. We want to keep on winning as we have been recently", noted the man from the Basque Country. 

Finally, he put the spotlight on the confidence this will give the group ahead of the return leg in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa League: "We have to be confident. Sometimes you don't play well but you get a result. That makes you think what might happen if you do play well, you can get an even better result. This will help us to relax and know that we can compete with United on Thursday."