Lucas Ocampos: “I was able to leave but I decided to stay at Sevilla”

Ocampos arrives at Sunday’s match after scoring against Granada, which was his ninth official goal of a season in which he has also provided four assists. Only Rafa Mir has scored more goals than the Argentine, a physical wonder that gives Sevilla much more than offensive contribution: balance in almost all areas of the field.

Against Granada, you scored again after several games without scoring. What is the form moment of Lucas Ocampos?

I feel fine. The truth is that I arrive in the best way to this final stretch. It was a bit of a weird campaign. I started goalless, then I made seven or eight in a few games and when you return to the drought, obviously there is anxiety and the desire to show. Hopefully the goal I scored against Granada will take me back on a winning streak.

Nothing better for that than marking Real Madrid as well. Is it better that they come from the euphoria of reaching the Champions League semi-finals or would you prefer that they arrive demoralized?

It’s a very nice game, and even more so in our stadium and in front of our people. After three years of playing against Madrid, in many different situations they, I already know that it doesn’t matter what they’ve done before: it’s Madrid. We must respect its history and its name but being ourselves. You have to leave the three points at home. And more at this time.

Wow, how is Benzema…

Karim is an incredible footballer and he is also in a perfect moment. He cannot be given a meter, because he makes you a goal. We must be very attentive to him.

Does Vinicius’ growth surprise you?

No. He came here very young, without experience and they demanded too much of him. He has gained confidence, things have started to work out for him and he shows that he is a great player. I hope he continues to grow, for his sake.

A few months ago Madrid seemed in a deep crisis and now they can win almost everything. They said that they had lacked signings.

It’s that they talk about Haaland, Mbappé and others, but above Madrid they have top players like Benzema, Vinicius, Asensio, Rodrygo… They found a coach who gave confidence to those they had and there they are again to win many things. For example, Ancelotti made a Vinicius explode who they said he did not define well, or that other players performed like never before.

There is Modric.

It’s nice to share the pitch with Luka and be able to say in a few years that you played against him, a Ballon d’Or. His pass with the outside against Chelsea is crazy. He is a player to whom you have to take your hat off and show a lot of respect.

Where do you perform best? Lopetegui puts him on the right, on the left, on the side…

With so many injuries and so many obstacles in this difficult year, you can’t choose. Although everyone knows that I like to be on the right. But I adapt to what Sevilla needs, it doesn’t bother me. You have to leave selfishness behind and think about the team. from 9? I haven’t played there yet at this club, but I did at Milan. I wouldn’t be surprised.

Do you understand the plague of injuries?

I don’t know what it could be, bad luck or something else. Last year we were the team that had the fewest injuries and this one, the one that had the most. Even so, we are still tied with the second and having an impressive season, which few talk about. The tree sometimes does not let see the landscape. You lose a match and forget that despite the difficulties we have been fighting for the first… We continue up there, quietly and hopefully we will make it to the end.

Will Sevilla notice the recovery of some players, like Papu?

We wanted to continue in the Europa League, but without it the loads are reduced and we will have more air to reach the end well. The national team break also allows you to have a week to prepare for the matches. Papu is a player who contributes a lot to the team and to the group, we’re happy that he’s back and he looks good.

Monchi says that his renewal is done, in the absence of an announcement. Is it so?

It is better to ask Monchi about the renewal. Everyone knows that I’m fine here, happy. There were possibilities to leave but we decided to stay. My family and I enjoy being here, day to day. I like the sun, I like LaLiga…

And he would like to play the World Cup with Argentina.

It is a great objective, one works for that. There are seven full months left to be in that tournament, and the dream of every Argentine is to win it.

And your partner Diego Carlos, do you see him in the World Cup? They say that in two years he can summon Luis Enrique.

I don’t understand how Diego doesn’t go with Brazil. I know what kind of defender he is, I see him perform amazing on my team. Play with Spain? He must decide it, but it would be a pity if he did not go to the World Cup.

And pair up with one that you will have in front of you on Sunday, Militao.

Militao also had a great progression. He is a very strong defender, not the same one I started facing two years ago. But we have weapons to score goals against Madrid.