“I’M SATISFIED WITH THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PLAYERS AND THAT WHEN THE CHANCES COME WE WILL TAKE THEM”

Diego Alonso spoke to the press at midday on Tuesday ahead of the first round of the Copa del Rey which will tomorrow see his Sevilla team take on CD Quintanar. The head coach began by revealing that “we are extremely excited to begin our campaign in such an important competition and one in which we want to progress and try to win. It’s an opportunity for those who haven’t played as much as they’d like to get good minutes under their belt and impress, in the hope that this gives them a platform moving forward.” 

“I’m satisfied with the application and effort of the players, everyone is working hard. I then have to choose who plays by judging everyone’s performance equally. I have to be true to who I believe is the best option for each game. I’m satisfied with the players’ performance and that when the opportunities come we will take them.”

"The cup is brilliant. We're really excited, but we'll just take things day by day.

Alonso also spoke about his excitement for the start of the new cup campaign: "The cup is brilliant. We're really excited, but we'll just take things day by day. Our aim is to make it to the final, but we have to keep building. Wins usually help, but that isn't the only measure of improvement, we have to learn from what we've been through."

"Winning isn't the most important thing, but it's the only thing, so you have to be prepared. If you know what drives you, you can keep moving forward. It helps you understand your strengths and weaknesses. If you only worry about winning and don't dwell on your mistakes, you enter a vicious cycle where you can't let yourself develop. We are here to help Sevilla grow and be in the position it deserves to be. I am not asking for patience, but even though we aren't winning right now, I think we should keep building. We have to keep supporting the players," added the Uruguayan.

"Dmitrovic has a problem with his finger and Jesús Navas is ill" 

"Dmitrovc has a problem with his finger with is hurting him a lot. He has been feeling it since last week and in the first training session of this week. Ramos, Suso and Navas have had more recovery and Jesús has been ill and has not been able train" Alonso said about the Serian goalkeeper's absence from today's training session.