How does Sevilla feel that the competition stops?
We are very focused on what we have to do each game and very happy because the work is being rewarded with the results that we were lacking. The break comes at a bad time because the team was very good but we have to stay focused to return with the same force when the competition resumes.
And the first year of Diego Carlos in Spain, how is it going?
Everything is really going perfect for me. I feel important in the team, I always feel the love of the fans, everyone is speaking very well of my game both in Spain and in Brazil … But the goal is to continue doing it just as well.
LaLiga Santander
* Data updated as of March 15, 2020
Was it an advantage at the beginning of the year to be almost unknown? Has anything changed these months?
I have noticed how some rivals have changed things in their game or have come directly to look for me to try to take advantage of my physique and that they are called for fouls or penalties in favor. The only thing I can do is be calm and focused to try to avoid those things affecting me or the team either.
And how have you reacted to that?
I have changed things that I used to do in France so that they do not affect me negatively in LaLiga games. Each striker has his style and I try to adapt to it.
Are the hands an example of that game change?
It is becoming more complicated for us. The play against Atlético I have not seen any image in which he sees that it is a hand, but it was that in the game it was clear that he hit him with his shoulder. In addition, it came from a diversion of one of their players, so it could not be voluntary. There are plays that the referees have to understand that are not voluntary.
Is it frustrating for a defender?
We can only be patient and know that for the defenders the matter has been complicated. We have to be very careful with our hands, not to protest while reviewing the VAR no matter how long we have to wait … Likewise Jesús Navas has to focus on the rival's hands instead of the area to look for finishers.
How did the locker room pass the bad streak after Miranda de Ebro?
There was no question in the locker room. We knew it was a phase of the season, that all teams go through that but we were convinced that we were doing a good job that had to give results.
The break will leave you without a derby for now …
I had dreamed a lot about the derby at home. I imagined the fans having a big party and all together in the field as a family. I have in my head everything that can happen inside the stadium in such an exciting match. I hope that sooner or later everything I had imagined of a derby in Sánchez Pizjuán can come true.
Did you experience something similar in Ligue 1?
In France the Nantes derby was against Rennes. There is a great atmosphere but I have already lived a derby in the field of Betis, I have seen what our fans did there with the few that there were and I am very excited to dream of what our people can do in a game like this in our house.
Who explained to Diego Carlos what a derby is?
He had not signed for Sevilla and he already knew what the derby was. Everyone who came to talk to me to sign told me. When I arrived, I was on the street in August and the people from Seville told me that too. They are games that the fans win, being together as a family is easier.
You can see him looking forward to living a game like this.
Every time I jump on the field and look at the stands, it makes me very happy. I am very happy to see people sing the anthem and feel how the games live. So I want it to be a boiler when we play against Betis.
There were already some Brazilians like Daniel Alves, Renato or Luis Fabiano who won derbies with their goals …
In my head the first thing that is is to defend my team so that they do not mark us. But when there is a corner … I will go with everything so that there is another Brazilian from Sevilla giving the victory in a derby.