Julen Lopetegui, coach of the Sevilla, applauded the effort of his players to defeat the Atlético de Madrid in what was an explosion of joy in Nervión. The Basque wanted to define it in one word: “competitive spirit”, a key value in the midst of an impressive plague of injuries.
“Spirit in the face of the difficulties, which are immense, the month we have been in is tremendous, playing with a base of 14 footballers, today two casualties have been added again. But the team has a lot of heart and I think that the competitive spirit has led us to have options until the end of the game and to be able to get the three points against one of the best squads in the world, the current League champion, ”said the former coach.
Lopetegui He was proud of his team, of the image offered with so many accumulated efforts and 8 casualties in the squad: “Sometimes we can be less successful, but in this moment of maximum difficulty, in which we are missing eight footballers, which is said soon, but there are nine footballers, and even ten with today’s injuries, the team competes. We had no changes, Óscar could not leave because he had discomfort. Acuña had to be aware of the minutes he could play, which were 30 and he has played 37 and he has not been able to. In short, applause for the effort and mentality that the boys have had. “
The technician kept explaining the casualty report. “Montiel, who has been insane for a month, seems to have discomfort in his hamstrings, we don’t know to what degree. And Lucas (Ocampos) is right now with a blow to the head totally dizzy, let’s hope it’s nothing. We are worried. And we hope the muscle injuries are not serious. Some injuries are bad luck, others from long time playing with a small number of footballers. Today Iván Romero appeared, who played a great game and I congratulate him on his attitude. Things like that make us happy and make us hope for the future. “
Finally, he applauded Sevillismo for the support provided: “The fans have pushed in the hard and difficult minutes and it is to be appreciated because that energy lifts us up in the moments of doubt, which there have been. Because at the beginning of the second half we have not balanced the game and at the end the table is ten “.