CAPARRÓS: "THE PLAYERS ARE MOTIVATED AND FULLY AWARE OF WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE"

Our first-team Head Coach, Joaquín Caparrós, addressed the media on Friday ahead of LaLiga EA Sports Matchday 35, as his side prepare to visit RC Celta at Balaídos on Saturday at 16:15 CEST. “We’re really looking forward to the match - the motivation is high. The team has trained well,” he said. “We’re not doing the maths, we’re just fully focused on the match in Vigo. The lads have had a good week of training, but now we need to break through and take all three points. The team is up for it and fully aware of what’s at stake.”

Caparrós is hopeful his side can get back to winning ways in Galicia: “I understand the criticism - in football, you have to win. There’s no time, and I accept and even share the criticism. We’ve done some good things, but draws aren’t enough - we need wins.”

He also praised the positive energy within the dressing room, highlighting the importance of the mental side of the game: “The atmosphere is excellent. Against Leganés, we created loads of chances, and the same across these past three games. The players are in a good place mentally, they’ve trained with real intensity. We’ve talked a lot this week and placed huge emphasis on the psychological side of things. I’m full of energy and desperate to repay the trust placed in me. Any true Sevillista would walk to Vigo if it meant helping the team. I want these three points badly.”

"The players are in a good spot mentally, they have trained well all week"

“The way these players have trained has to start showing in results and that’s what’s going to lift the fans. The experienced players need to lead, and the younger ones, who are from the area, understand exactly how much these matches mean,” he added.

On the defensive front, Caparrós gave his full backing to goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland following the match against Leganés: “He’s a top player. Professionally and personally, he’s first class. We all make mistakes but everyone’s got his back. He’s a ten out of ten as a person, and he has my full support, and that of his teammates.”

The boss also stressed the importance of keeping a clean sheet as a foundation for victory: “If we manage to score two goals - given how hard that’s been - then we have to make it count. We need to improve in key moments. Leganés didn’t create many chances, and we have to be solid and keep the clean sheet.”

Finally, Caparrós reflected on the recent form of Suso: “Suso’s numbers have been excellent. In the last game, he put in a performance that surpassed anything from last season. We’re enjoying his quality and talent, and he’s going to be a key player for us in these remaining matches.”