SAMPAOLI: "YOU CAN'T COME HERE AND IMPROVISE THINGS"

Following Erik Lamela, Jorge Sampaoli gave his thoughts on tomorrow's European match: "It's a day to consolidate our tactics. I don't think the team has had any regularity yet in that togetherness that allows you to get out of a poor run of form. The change of coach, a new style of play, getting everybody on board... we've achieved it at times in some matches. That has to lead to better results in the short term. We've been here for almost three weeks and we've had only few training sessions and a lot of matches."

"We have to see how we can adapt to a difficult situation through our collective commitment, not in the short term, but rather in our match development. That is what we are working on. Having to rotate players due to the high number of fixtures is the reality, no matter who we are playing against, because there are players who don't have replacements and who have to play because we have some injuries. We have to weigh up a lot of things when considering the matches on Sunday and tommorow, against one of the best teams in the world. There are a lot of problems that are being dealt with, but still remain."

The team dropped their standards against Rayo, something that is common for Champions League teams but even more dangerous in Sevilla's situation: "The moment the team doesn't hold on and gets disorganised and exposed, with so many games, the performance drops. It happens to all teams, but in the situation we're in, it takes its toll. There is a physical and emotional wear and tear that makes things difficult and reduces performance. To fix that in two or three days without training is very difficult. We depend on being organised in the short term so that the team can defend itself in this situation."

The Argentine is aware of the demands of what is to come, but also of the repercussions of tomorrow: "I understand my current situation and I have the responsibility to do what is best for the club. Today there are positions on the pitch that have no back-up. What's more, there are players playing out of position because we have no other choice at the moment. There are players with some degree of injury who have travelled and who are not going to be directly part of the starting line-up."

"We have an imbalance in some areas of the pitch that needs to be resolved. It also wouldn't be right to come and play against the best in the world as if the game didn't exist. This match will be talked about if the team does badly. It can be a test run to develop things ahead of the next two games and these are decisions that will affect us going forward. We are coming to play against a very important team that can give us the chance to continue to grow in this very tough period for the club."

"It also wouldn't be right to come and play against the best in the world as if the game didn't exist"

And he doesn't hide the fact that he is also looking forward to Sunday's game: "I'm thinking about the two games. We have planned two matches that will allow us, with the squad we have, to field players that will allow us to play a good game tomorrow and with clear ideas for the following match."

"The team's performances right now are not ideal and let's hope that tomorrow it will be a step forward like it was in Dortmund or in other matches. We don't have training sessions and we have to work on the matches so that we don't arrive on Sunday with the same insecurities. We're considering all options, but the one who has to make the decision is me."

There is no rush with Carlos Álvarez, who could play tomorrow in the Youth League: "He is a lad that we had analysed and who has potential that can be useful in the short or long term, it will depend on how he progresses. It's not that we're going to stick Carlos in the side because he's the solution, nothing like that. He was called up so we can watch him and compare him with the players we have. It's very likely that tomorrow he'll play with the youth team because we've had him training for two days and he's a lad who has potential and who may or may not have a future."

"We're hoping that tomorrow it will be a step forward like it was in Dortmund or in other matches"

"There are players who are afraid of missing out on the World Cup, but we are pushing them to understand the club's current situation, which is also the responsibility of the players. In this situation we need everyone involved. I can't read their minds, but we have to get out of this tough run of form and my job is to convince those who have doubts that we have two finals that would allow us to get out of a complicated place against two very good teams. We have to be mentally up to face that."

"He also spoke of his admiration for Man City: "Guardiola's work with this team has given them the edge against anyone. The Champions League is a very special tournament, a tournament where momentum is important, where Man City have sometimes not had their best momentum."

"They are the best in England but in football these things happen. Sometimes it means that the best teams don't achieve long-term success in these knockout rounds. I value long-term success much more highly and throughout the Guardiola era they have shown a consistency that no team in the world has."

He finished by stressing that despite the fact that there is nothing at stake tomorrow, Sevilla cannot afford to play down the importance of the match: "We know the difference between our sides. We have to be aware of that and minimise those differences. We also know that we have a very important game for us and a possible boost for the group, which is also important. But there is one condition, which is that you can't come here and improvise things. It would be disrespectful for us and for the tournament."

"What matters to me is what happens tomorrow and then what happens on Sunday. I am clear about that because I am clear about the badge that I defend and to which I am committed to improving and changing. It's not just another match, it's a Champions League match and it's very important."