The Basque coach makes his debut in European competition on a historic bench like the one at Old Trafford and with a clear message: “They didn’t give it to me”
José Luis Mendilibar will have a very special evening this Thursday. The Basque coach will make his debut in European competition after more than 20 years on the bench and will do so at Old Trafford and at against Manchester United in an entire UEFA Europa League quarter-final.
The coach is aware of the anticipation this game has created and his presence on the bench after replacing Jorge Sampaoli a few weeks ago. However, “Mendi” made it clear press conference who deserved such a night: “It looks like I had to be in the raffle to play in this match. And if I’m here, it’s because I liked those who hired me. I must have done something to be at Old Trafford”.
And yes, Zaldibar’s trainer did something after 526 matches in professional football and almost always scoring goals at Eibar, Valladolid or Osasuna. In fact, he has already done something for Sevilla, whose face has changed and with which he arrives at Old Trafford a much more competitive versionOh, he added 4 points in 6 games in his first two games and got sober and made unforced errors disappear.
He doesn’t want to go see Mendilibar in Manchester It’s not even that these two games are a hello and goodbye for Europe in his career and he talked about the goal of going out to win against United who haven’t lost at home since September. “We have to fight them with our guns, not just think about them. They have very good players, but historically, Sevilla, who are still not favorites, know how to play these kinds of games. be the opposite.” area and know how to play them. We have to try to win here. Then we will see how the game arises. Our idea must be like in LaLiga. We train to play on the opposite field.”
Despite the anticipation of the game and the fact that Sevilla are in their favorite league, the still uncertain situation in LaLiga hangs over the Sevilla expedition, although their coach believes the best way to score points in the Mestalla against Valencia is to fight in England. : “We just have to think about United. I see the group becoming more and more committed to the cause of what we ask of it.”
Source: Goal