SUSO: 'IF YOU'RE A BIG TEAM, YOU HAVE TO PLAY IN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE'

Before speaking about Sevilla, Suso went over his career to date: 'You learn something wherever you go. I went to England when I was really young and maybe I didn't have the same desire to learn as much. In Italy they focus really hard on tactics and that's something I took away from there. I think things are harder in Spain because there's more creativity and rhythm to the game. The play is quicker, but I think it's perfect place for me.' He also spoke about his relationship with Julen Lopetegui: 'He is very demanding. He never stops or conforms. I played at all youth levels under him and I made my debut with the senior team with him. We know each other well and he knows my strengths and weaknesses. That has its advantages and disadvantages.'

Addressing the national team, he spoke of his desire to fight for a place in the Euros this summer: 'It's a thorn in my side, definitely. It's the only thing I'm missing in my career, it's my dream. I've always fought for it. Knowing your country is watching you is a great feeling.' Suso is in great form after adapting to the team: 'It was a change of country, league, everything.' I had to adjust to it and I was unlucky with injuries. This year we changed some things and I'm feeling good.'

'Lopetegui knows my weaknesses and what I can give, we know each other very well'

Without a doubt, his goal against Manchester United in Cologne is his greatest achievement at the Club: 'They scored and were playing better than us. The equaliser gave us confidence and they are special memories, even though no one could come to see us and the stadiums were empty. It would have been amazing with a full stadium, but we all have special memories from Germany.' 

Addressing recent events, Suso admitted the team do not feel the same way about the Cup and the Champions League: 'If I'm honest with you, the Cup elimination really hurt me. The way they came back from 2-0 down. There were a lot of variables and if the penalty goes in, we're through. These things happen in football, but we weren't ourselves. We didn't press like we usually do. We weren't Sevilla that day and that annoys me. In Dortmund we played really well, the goal we conceded was a silly mistake and even though we were knocked out, I feel we gave a good showing of ourselves.'

'The Cup elimination really hurt me, we weren't Sevilla that night'

However, el Gran Derbi brought a chance to turn around the team's fortunes: 'You feel that it's an important game, that losing isn't allowed. When you see the people outside when we left for the stadium... These things make you realise the magnitude of the game and that you can't lose. The coach is also really good at preparing you for games.' Suso then went on to speak about the final ten games of the season: 'We have some tough games coming up against teams with everything to fight for. Teams lower down in the league are fighting for salvation and there are no easy games. I think we can't quite compete against Madrid, Barcelona, or Atlético. I think they are a level above us even though we compete well against them. Our goal is to qualify for the Champions League again.'

Fourth spot is the difference maker: 'If you're a big team, you have to play Champions League. It means you're with the best teams in the world. The Europa League is our competition, but we need to look to the Champions League.' The team must never lose their identity, either: 'We weren't great against Valladolid the other day but we deserved to win. We missed some chances, but our DNA is to never surrender. We fight until the last second, and even the goalkeeper gets involved and gets the equaliser.'