How is Koundé and this Seville? Have minivacations been good or bad?
We are very good. After the confinement we had many games in a short time and rest is also very important, you have to relax with the family. I had not seen my mother since December. I needed it. Mind clears.
Have you already been told what the Europa League in Nervión means?
No need, I already knew that. This is Sevilla's competition. There are many fantastic memories for the fans and the goal of this club has to be to win it, always. In three games, just a few days, you can plant yourself in a final.
Does Dzeko give respect, for example?
Dzeko is a key piece of the Roma game, although his entire team is very well organized. They have finished the campaign in an incredible way, like us. A set that runs a lot, who likes to press and retrieve the ball high. A vertical team.
Europa League
* Data updated as of August 4, 2020
Gudelj's discharge from coronavirus is the stain.
He is an important footballer, but we have a very complete squad. Hopefully Nemanja is soon and can help us, that will mean that we continue in the tournament.
How did you stay when you got up one day and saw in the Press that Zidane and Madrid are following you?
It is always good that there are clubs like Real Madrid that follow you, but I am very focused on Sevilla, I really want to pass this round and win this Cup. It is the only thing in my head and that of the squad. I don't eat coconut with Madrid.
Zidane was the one who also recommended Varane, his compatriot. It seems that he has an eye with the central ones.
(Laughs) It seems! Zidane is a legend in Bordeaux, France and the World. It has been one of the best ever. I know Varane's history because it is French and I know what it represents. He is none other than world champion. We all play to end up being one of the greatest in the world … but Sevilla is also.
“Effective discretion”. That's how they defined you in France.
It is a good definition of my game but also of my personality. I don't talk too much, only when I think it's necessary. I don't like being in the spotlight. When you are focused on progress and what is really important, good things come out. It is my way of seeing life, and soccer too.
When he arrived, some saw him as a somewhat short central player. But you have to see what Koundé jumps.
I always had a good jump. I know that there are many people who, when seeing a 1.81 center-back, are wondering how the aerial game will solve when it is a big striker. That also happened to me in Bordeaux. At the end of my training I played right back because a coach looked at me like that, too short. But it doesn't scare me to go upside down, it's one of my strengths indeed.
It is clear.
For me, height is not just a matter of centimeters. The most important thing is to play smart. If we listen to many people, Cannavaro could not have played as a central defender in his life, and he ended up achieving a Ballon d'Or, he played for Real Madrid. You have to change that view that you always have to be tall in this position, or very strong.
His partner Diego Carlos is strong …
And very complete. I think we are very complementary because we have different qualities. We make a good couple. I'm more of a short game and pass between the lines and Diego knows how to do it too and he has a very good long game.
Do you have an idol?
As much as an idol … There are players that I like in many positions. I love football. I really like Benzema, Mané from Liverpool … It's funny that they are all attackers.
It is that you are always looking forward to going up. Does it have a forward soul?
I always liked to attack, I think that part comes from the Under-17 in Bordeaux, that the coach intended that his centrals were the base of the game. When I see a space I like to attack it. At Sevilla we have a game where we can do that, and the coach likes it.
And playing lateral, how are you doing?
I can play there but I am missing some things. I know that in the future I will have coaches who see me more as a winger but I will fight to be central because in that position I feel better, I think it is the future of my career.