Emery: "It would be better for us if Barça win the league"
The Sevilla coach brushed off questions about the Liga denouement and Athletic, stating that his side were more focused on the Europa League and Copa.
Rotations: “We’ve played 60 games this season and some players have played more than they usually would. Eight days ago we played at a very high level. Those that don’t play will have been 12 days without a competitive game and that’s not a time-frame in which things can be lost. The competitive tempo doesn’t get lost by the majority of football players. We’re sure those who don’t play because of technical decisions will be in the best possible shape for Tuesday.
Fernando Llorente: “He’s just become a dad and he’s gone to San Sebastián. He’ll be in Bilbao, but he won’t be in the squad tomorrow.”
Fixture schedule: “I really appreciate the things that are being done well for the benefit of Spanish football. I thought it would be impossible to bring the game forward because the television companies take preference. There are criteria that are important from our point of view but not so much for [LFP chief Javier] Tebas. I think it would have been more important for us to have a week between finals.”
Away form: “It’s not a statistic that anybody enjoys, least of all me. We have a chance to avoid going the whole season without winning [an away game] although I think that the positive things we have ahead of us slightly eclipse this game. We have priorities beyond this game, but it is a challenge for our personal pride.”
Line-up: “We’re going there with the intention to win, as always. For me the league is the most important competition but right now the importance of the other two games is greater.”
Keepers: “Both are growing. Sergio has the advantage because he has a lot of big games under his belt. David has been doing well this season. We try to find the best fit for the team and both are well capable of performing.”
Finals: “We are completely focused on the Europa League merely due to the fixture schedule. After that we’ll think about the Copa.”
Gameiro: “I haven’t spoken to him but I have always told him that what he has to do is to work hard and enjoy himself here with his club. He has two finals in which to demonstrate that he deserved to be called up for the Euros.”
League title: “At the moment I’m not in the least bit bothered about who wins the league. As a preference, it would be better for us if Barcelona were to win so we’re assured a place in the Spanish Supercup.”