The Argentinian coach is again the man in front of Sevilla, delivering the press conferences before and after each match as the club navigates a challenging season.
Sevilla faced a turbulent 2022-2023 campaign, culminating in the departure of Julen Lopetegui and the return of Jorge Sampaoli to steer the Nervión club away from relegation trouble.
With the Europa League round of 16 in sight, Sampaoli’s side must overturn a 2-0 deficit from the first leg against Fenerbahce, aiming to progress to the next stage.
On starting the game poorly: “The team is adapting as the minutes go by and it’s hard to impose our style at first. We want to make our method of play a reference for the team. Opponents rarely create early pressure, but once they shrink the space, we manage to locate openings and apply our formula. We sometimes get ahead of ourselves and need to correct that.”
Jordan and Nianzou: “They are there when needed to support the squad. Both are dealing with difficulties; if the match were today they wouldn’t be ready, but we’ll see if they can contribute.”
Regarding illness among visitors: “The result is misleading because it’s unlikely we’ll progress after this. There’s pressure in Turkey, and similar pressure in the Netherlands, but what matters most is what happens on the pitch. That pressure may affect them too.”
On tension: “All fixtures matter, but competing in a tough zone adds extra strain and sometimes increases the risk of injuries. It’s essential to understand our current reality and handle it in an organized way.”
Differences between La Liga and the Europa League: “I don’t perceive a qualitative difference, just varying effectiveness. We were strong against PSV, but less so against Fenerbahce, though we reacted. We must be a team that works hard, especially in the early rounds where discomfort arises. We need compactness with and without the ball.”
On central positions: “If the defense and midfield begin to falter, we must consider players in unusual roles. In every match we had only one central defender available, and we hope reinforcements arrive soon. A system built with available players is necessary, and we’ll organize and recover players during the break.”
Telles: ‘We enjoy matches with pressure’
Current team assessment: “The squad is very positive after two hard-fought wins that were desperately needed. Tomorrow’s game is tough, there are 90 minutes to defend the result, and we have experienced players for that.”
Play at center back: “I’m here to help Sevilla, the coach, and my teammates. Whether deployed as a winger or central defender, I feel good and will do my best wherever I play.”
On early bad starts: “Football is about balance between our tactics and the opponent’s. We must adjust as the game unfolds, and the manager will guide us to secure the results we seek.”
Environment in Turkey: “Tomorrow’s match will have a strong atmosphere. Players thrive on this kind of intensity. We have seasoned, passionate athletes who will be ready. I know the surroundings well from past spells, and I’ll focus on the game to secure the result, even if it feels special for me personally.”
On pressure: “We don’t want them to feel this rush to win, but football is like that. I’ve found players here who treat every game as a final, with always evident passion and determination.”
Future at Sevilla: “I must stay focused on my duties now. I’m happy at Sevilla, they treat me well, and I’ll give my best for Sevilla. If the situation allows, I’ll stay for another season.”
Two press conference in Seville today: a video overview and live streaming details for fans
All Sevilla press conferences for the 2022-2023 season are available on Sevilla FC Television, the club’s official channel, regardless of competition. SFC TV is freely accessible in Seville via Digital Terrestrial Television and is also carried by platforms such as Movistar, Orange TV, and Vodafone TV.
International viewers can watch for free at live.sevillafc.es by registering, with the channel also broadcast on the club’s official YouTube and Facebook profiles.
Source: Goal