A big victory over Barcelona 4-1! Coach Sevi: We are on the right path and receive 80 messages on your phone
Sevilla coach Almeida attended the press conference after the team beat Barcelona 4-1 at home. He analyzed the game's tactics, praised the players' efforts, and explained the reasons for the changes in the formation.
How to evaluate this victory and the team's performance?
We need to win at home, and we haven't won Barcelona at home in ten years. This victory ended a lot of negative things. We showed a way, a form, a dedication, a struggle and a self-esteem… Given the strength of our opponents, I think we played a very good game, but what I value more is the efforts of the players, the understanding of tactics, and the general happiness this victory brings to the fans and the locker room. I'm very happy.
Can you analyze the tactical deployment of the game in detail?
This is a very good match. We have thoroughly studied it and performed it. As I said, if you let Barcelona advance, they will cause harm. We have to make huge sacrifices, stay focused, not give them an inch of space, and then take the risk of proactive attacks because we know they are one of the best opponents to oppress.
We have a strategy to deal with their oppression, which we did to a large extent, but we didn't do on their goals. What we need to do in training and the competition, whether good or bad, is reflected very clearly. I still have to say that we are on the right path.
This is the team's first home victory this season. What do you think about this?
No coach thinks he can't win when preparing for the game. I believe in my players, the work we do every day, and the correction... We won the last game but played badly; there are positives and there are also sides that need improvement. And against Barcelona, we have to play a perfect game.
As long as you are distracted for a second, they will hurt you. They have a thorough study of their playing style and have extremely outstanding players. Everything has evolved as we wish, and now we have to keep moving forward, stay calm and enjoy the victory. This (win) means a lot, but at the same time, it is nothing. It's just three points, yes, but it's important to be the way, and knowing that with this attitude and desire, we will be able to achieve important achievements. The hardest thing is to keep it going.
Will this victory become a turning point for the team?
We have been working as a team since day one. My priority is the collective, and I said everyone will be involved. They have to be prepared to bring out that energy when needed. If we are satisfied with a victory and stop there, then everything afterwards is meaningless.
The road is still long; we must know how to enjoy it and take advantage of our strengths and where we can improve, and walk calmly. We are walking on this road and it's good. If someone told me before I came that we would be like this at this time, then I would have swam over. It is important to seek a kind of stability, which is the hardest thing in football.
How to maintain stability?
Everyone is putting the best effort. If we analyze the team today, no one fell behind, the entire team stood out, which is what I like to see the most. This is the true meaning of this sport. This is our way and it will lead us to important achievements.
Will the team's goals change after a big victory?
We must maintain a peaceful attitude whether in defeat or in victory. The league is very long. No one expected us to beat Barcelona in this way. This is football. If I have any characteristics, it is that I never believe that everything is bad. Today I looked at my phone and there were 80 messages. What's the use? I know where we should go.
Why did you switch to the four-guard formation in this game?
Fortunately, we did this, otherwise I might have been criticized. There is a reason for this. When we face opponents using double strikers, we use a three-back formation. Because I still feel that our tactical running is not completely solid yet, I use that way to ensure the defense.
Barcelona used three forwards today, so it would be enough for us to use four defenders, but we wanted to add more ball possession in the midfield. Suowu did a good job. This is our strategy, and it works very well before they can be seen through. In addition, we missed a lot of opportunities in front of the goal, and you can't miss them when facing Barcelona. This is why the formation is changed, but it does not mean that it will always be like this in the future. A victory won’t change the way we work, nor does a loss. We will prepare as I have always done, game by game until I see the team performing perfectly.