SÁNCHEZ FLORES: "GRANADA ARE ONE OF THE MOST INTENSE TEAMS IN THE LEAGUE"

Quique Sánchez Flores spoke at the pre-match press conference before the clash against Granada CF. He spoke first about the week's training sessions, with the absence - among others - of Isaac Romero: "The week has gone well within the optimism and energy that the team has with the results and our position in the table. They are happy and focused, we have improved some things and are working to keep performing. We have to keep improving to reach higher levels. We have five games left and we have to be honest and professional regardless of the opponent. Isaac is a big loss and we have to think carefully about what we do to compensate." 

Regarding Isaac's absence, he pointed out that there are alternatives: "All the players train well and all of them are available. There are players who can be available for that space that Isaac is going to leave. There are midfielders and forwards who can drop back. Like Isaac, we only have one, and now is the time for very good players to step up." He was also asked about the level of the squad: "When I arrived I found players having difficulty understanding the situation that was happening because they were high-quality players but not performing. We respect Fernando's career, but as you moves away from a club, you also move away from the current reality. This squad has given everything to turn the season around." 

"There are five games left, we have to keep performing" 

Speaking about Granada, our coach said, "I am going to look for a way to play against an opponent that has undergone a tremendous turnaround. They are one of the most intense teams in La Liga, one of the ones that runs the most, and one of the ones that concedes the fewest goals... we are facing an opponent that has a lot of character, is daring, and has nothing to lose. They are coming off the back of a draw in Bilbao, so they arrive in form. We are Sevilla, we will go out with our own style to try to take control, but we respect Granada."

Returning to specific players, he was again questioned about the situation of Rafa Mir, about whom he said, "He is showing a lot of patience with the decisions I make. He is being respectful, training well, and putting up with a situation he is not used to." Additionally, the name of Alejo Veliz also came up: "We like to give continuity to what we see in training; we don't suddenly put players in the starting lineup. During the week, we observe, and Alejo is a young man who is also in a difficult situation. Lukebakio, Lamela, Agoumé are the ones in the picture for a starting place. Alejo is not in the first line to start, but he is a player we count on, and we try to see his best qualities." 

Regarding his own personal future he said, "I stick to what I've already said. I'm in Sevilla to rescue the team; I can't assess 100% of the squad since I came in at a difficult point and any of us are worse off in that situation. What I do defend is the professionalism of some players who have stepped up." In line with this, he highlighted the daily contact with the president: "I have daily contact with the president since he calls me every day but that does not mean we talk about next season; we talk about the present." Quique focused on letting the season finished first: "I am very happy in Sevilla and with the club, but we have to relax to think things through properly because I believe that decisions have been made here lately based on success in the moment, and that's not my style. I am very comfortable, working well with a very attentive President. There are five games left, then we will see." 

Returning to the game against Granada, Sánchez Flores pointed out, "I expect a very difficult match with lots of transitions, even though Bryan Zaragoza is no longer with them. But watching Granada again and analysing them, they still remain extremely dangerous in transitions, playing freely and leaving players high up and so we have to play our best." 

"If Granada had appointed Sandoval earlier, they might have turned it around sooner. He's a coach who freshens things up" 

He also spoke again about Isaac Romero and the future of the forward: "Isaac is the key piece or one of the key pieces of the future of this team. The young guys are the way forward. Kike Salas, Isaac, Juanlu... these guys are the future, and many more like them." He also spoke about the reserve team players: "There are few games left, and if these guys we know more about, like Manu Bueno, could come with us, it would be very good for us. Either you break through or you can't either, Idumbo has potential but for now, it's tough for him."

To close, he praised José Ramón Sandoval, the Granada coach: "Sandoval is a charming guy. He was among those group of coaches whom people thought, because he had been around for so many years, he was a bit on the sideline. If Granada had appointed Sandoval earlier, they might have turned it around sooner. He is a coach who freshens things up."