Sampaoli: We want to dominate possession against Real Madrid
The Argentine manager confirmed he will not rotate his goalkeeper, stated that Nasri is good to go and the possibility of signing a central defender and striker Stefan JoveticReal Madrid-Sevilla live: LaLiga
Jorge Sampaoli's winter break might have been slightly more eventful that he had hoped. He was forced, and is being forced now, to deal with a Samir Nasri Twitter hacking a couple of days after Christmas but says the former Manchester City attacker is good without prying into Nasri's personal affairs..
"He told me it was personal, so I do not give it too much importance and I did not elaborate on it," Sampaoli said in his press conference ahead of his side's clash with Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday night in the Copa del Rey.
He turned his attention to that game and laid out his tactical plan in broad daylight, "We want to see more of the ball than Real Madrid. That's what we want, then it will be up to us to see if we can win the game," Sampaoli said quit matter of factly. He also said Sergio Rico would be the goalkeeper and he would not be rotating at the position.
Monchi Magic
Sampaoli recently said he was hoping for some Monchi magic in order to enhance his squad in the transfer market but Sampaoli believes, "the transfer market is complex and it is becoming increasingly difficult to to improve our squad."
He also says a central defender is the priority but a striker could also be joining. One name that was mentioned was Stevan Jovetic. Sampaoli says, "he is one of the possibilities to improve our striking options but at the moment there is nothing concrete to report."
Regarding interest from Barcelona, Sampaoli believes that rumours are part and parcel of the job but says he is "happy in Seville." He continues, "I am trying to create a style of play here so the people who took a punt on me are happy. I don't look for rumours whether they are good or bad."
