"WE HAVE TO WIN THE RIGHT TO BE UP THERE FROM THE START"

Pablo Machín spoke to the media this Saturday morning, analysing Sunday's league opener against Rayo Vallecano (20:15 CET). The coach showed his excitement at kicking off the league campaign: "It's the competition that involves everything, where we need to win the right to continue as a top team, that plays European fixtures. They say leagues are won and lost at the end but I'm of the belief that points are worth the same in the first and last game of the season. All matches are as important as each other". He continued by analysing the opponent: "The best conditioning we can have is the excitement and positive momentum Rayo have from last season. Last year they achieved something similar to Girona. They've won the right to be in the first division and they have very good footballers - some less well-known names but players that have shown you they're very good. With their crowd behind them they'll be very difficult to overcome. We've prepared in the best way possible. We weren't able to do much preparation on the pitch but we have in video analysis. We should be used to this situation and come out to always compete and look for a win until the very end". 

"Points are worth the same in the first and last games"

Asked about what he expects to see from his side after competing in European fixtures: "Above all, a win. Also an aggressive side that shows it's clear in its gameplan. In the Super Cup we came out tight and sat back and were very clear in our ideas. We want the team to believe in what it sets out to do every match. Until now, every plan that we've set out in each match has been carried out and that's very satisfying for a manager". On the objective of European qualification: "the most practical way is winning on Sunday. I like immediacy because to reach your ultimate goal, you need to achieve a number of goals along the way and every match is a goal. We can only think about this match, win it, and then think about each next match". 

On Pablo Sarabia: "What I know is that he's a Sevilla FC player, he has a contract and he wants to stay. Everything that comes out in the media doesn't have to affect anything. I see him as very focused on the competitions we're immersed in and he told me he wants to stay here. He's not saying anything else with his performances. He's saying his mind is set on being here. Guaranteeing things is difficult. He has a contract here and it's clear that the Club has made an offer to him. He has asked for time to think about it. The Club has been as generous as Sarabia deserves. When two sides want to reach an agreement, normally, sooner or later, they do, in one way or another". 

 "We want to come out to compete and win"

He was also asked about future movements in the transfer market: "I think all Clubs are there waiting to see what appears until the very last moment. The market closes in two weeks. There is a lot of time and a lot moves in the last few days. In the end, you can't spend all pre-season working on transfers but it's what the market dictates. We're open to improving. The scouting team is working on that front and we'll be there waiting until the market closes. The important thing is that players that come improve what we have. Bringing in for the sake of bringing in is not the best thing. We're all willing to improve. You speak about the front-line - those that could come should be quality players who improve what we have now: quick, clinical; but the game is made up of two parts. Defenders have already come in but we could be open to more coming and we'd have to evaluate the market".