GARCÍA PIMIENTA: "WE HAVE TO GO INTO EVERY GAME WITH THE AIM OF WINNING"

Our head coach, García Pimienta, spoke at the pre-match press conference ahead of the round of 32 Copa del Rey tie against UD Almería. He began by saying: "2024 ended with the farewell of the greatest legend of Sevilla FC, Jesús Navas, with the recognition he deserved. We are really looking forward to tomorrow's match, it is very exciting. It is an opponent that is in the Second Division but they have a really great team with top-level players. It is a Copa del Rey tie and a match in which we are going to see a First Division quality match. We will have to be at our best to get through the tie, which is what we want. I have just been told that Gudelj, Alberto Flores, and Gudelj have had a fever and a stomach problem and will not be able to travel. Let's hope we can recover Pedrosa and not have any more issues between now and tomorrow's game. We are going to put out a strong team and play to get through a tough cup tie." 

One of the names he was asked about was Valentín Barco: “He will not travel and will train. We are talking about players who ask to leave because they haven't had minutes for whatever reason. He is a guy who has been training well and has not had the minutes he expected. I imagine he is looking for a way out. Today he trained normally, but he has asked not to be included in the squad for tomorrow's match." He was also asked about Kelechi Iheanacho: “Kelechi has returned from the holidays with a slight strain. It is known that he has offers from other clubs. It's not a serious injury, but a slight strain. He has not trained and will not be able to travel for tomorrow's game. We know he has offers, but we don't know if it will happen or not. He can't travel because of the injury." 

"We are going to put out a strong team and play to get through a tough cup tie" 

On the transfer market, García Pimienta focused on strengthening the winger position: “It's better not to talk about players with current contracts at other clubs. After the departure of Lucas Ocampos and Jesús Navas, we have to strengthen that position. In terms of players with contracts at other clubs, until things happen, it is better not to say anything." He then added: "We have to reinforce that position, but with a player who really helps us and contributes with the quality and quality to be a Sevilla player. In the meantime, we can play someone there temporarily or promote a player from the reserves. It has to be as soon as possible, but the player who comes has to be a player that we want." Continuing with an assessment of the squad, our head coach said that Sow's recovery from injury is going well: "Sow is within the normal time frame and if nothing happens, he will be available for the game against Valencia." 

He also pointed out that he has been taking stock of the season throughout the campaign: “We have been analysing continuously. We have made an accurate assessment. We also have to look at situations that we do not control, such as players who may leave. We want to reinforce the winger position. If a striker or winger ends up leaving, we have to replace those positions. The sporting director is going a good job as am. 

"In the new year, I ask for health and I ask for all the things we are building to come to fruition. We are seeing an improvement, we all have to take a step forward when you are in a club like Sevilla it is not enough to rest on your laurels. We have to achieve more important things. We have to take another step forward, we have the right ingredients. I see the squad and the players with that aim and desire to continue growing and take a step forward. We will end up seeing a better Sevilla than the one we started with," he assured.

"I see a squad of players with that aim and desire to continue growing and take a step forward" 

He insisted on the need for reinforcements to improve the quality of the squad: “We have to bring in players to improve what we have here. Pedrosa and Kike Salas have done a great job at fullback. If Barco ends up leaving and we are able to find a player to improve Pedrosa and Kike, we will be delighted. What we are not going to do is bring in players for the sake of bringing in players. In that case, we'll bring in players from the reserve team like Hormigo or Oso, who are fully prepared to help us on a one-off basis." Another of the sections to be analysed by the coach was the captaincy after the departure of Jesús Navas, as well as the minutes of Valentín Barco: “With the issue of the captaincy I'm not worried, Jesús has passed on what it is to be a Sevilla player and be captain of Sevilla. The captaincy of Sevilla is in good hands. Jesús has done a great job. Individually he has spoken with the captains. With Valentín, it's all about decisions. He is a young player with quality. As a coach, I am forced to make decisions. I have no complaints. He will surely do very well. If he leaves, I would understand. If he hasn't played more it's because he understood that other teammates have done better." 

Pimienta was very happy after the contract extension for Kike Salas: “I am very happy and proud of Kike's contract extension. Also for Isaac and Carmona. Hopefully Juanlu too. I'm happy because they are guys coming out of the reserve team, with a sense of belonging that is very necessary for the fans to feel they can identify with the team. Hopefully, Juanlu can follow in their footsteps. They are young but important players in the first team. Hopefully, they can get Sevilla back to where it deserves to be." Before finishing, he stressed the importance of approaching each match with the aim of winning: “When we put on this shirt we have to be aware of who we are playing for. The cup is a very exciting competition, just like the league. We have to go out to every game with the sole intention of winning it. Tomorrow we will have a first-class opponent, who plays in the second division and who will be very excited to eliminate a team like Sevilla. We have to go out with every intention of taking the match very seriously to get through the tie. We will go for both competitions with everything we have”.

"When we put on the shirt we have to be aware of who we are playing for" 

“I'm happy with Nyland and Álvaro, they are at an excellent level. Whoever plays, I'm relaxed, whoever I think is best for the team will play. There is no difference, for me they are both starters and from tomorrow it will be the same. Either of them is ready to play, the goalkeeper position is well covered," he concluded.