Sevilla sporting director Monchi spoke to the media from Manchester just hours before facing Manchester United at Old Trafford in the first leg of the Europa League quarter-final.
Monchi was once again questioned about his future after a poor season for Sevilla in La Liga.
“I focus the debate on what is important, not on me. The important thing is La Liga and the Europa League. I have a contract with Sevilla and my intention is to stay with Sevilla. In June we’ll talk, but not about whether I’m leaving or not, but about what has happened and what we want to do,” said Monchi ahead of the club’s European match in England in words transcribed by Estadio Deportivo.
Questioned about tonight’s game, Monchi said that Sevilla will go out with the intention of winning and without thinking about Sunday’s game at Mestalla. “Sevilla will go out with the best team possible, because victories lead to victories. This team needs to gain confidence and we must not look beyond United.”
On tonight’s opponents, he added: “They are imposing, not only because they have eliminated Barça and Betis, but also because they are a tremendous team with a lot of players. They are a tremendous team with a lot of alternatives. A good result? It will depend on the game, but logically anything that means winning is good. The loss of Rashford? I don’t think a team with United’s budget will notice that too much. Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro, Martial, Antony… if they were all missing we could talk about something else.”
José Luis Mendilibar’s line-up is likely to include goalkeeper Bono, but the Basque coach will be without the injured Joan Jordán and Tecatito Corona. Karim Rekik, Marcao and Papu Gómez are all back in the squad after recovering from their respective injuries.
Mendilibar has announced a 22-man squad for the first leg of his side’s Europa League quarter-final clash. There is only one new addition to the squad from last Friday’s game against RC Celta. Lucas Ocampos, suspended against Celta, has been included in the squad in place of Pape Gueye, who is not registered for the European competition.
Sevilla squad versus Manchester United
Bono, Dmitrovic, Alberto Flores, Jesús Navas, Montiel, Badé, Marcao, Nianzou, Rekik, Acuña, Alex Telles, Gudelj, Fernando, Óliver Torres, Rakitic, Ocampos, Lamela, Papu Gómez, Bryan Gil, Suso, Rafa Mir, En-Nesyri.
Kieran Quaile | GSFN
