Boss insists team will not change style

Upon Valencia CF’s arrival in Seville for the UEFA Europa League game against Sevilla, manager Juan Antonio Pizzi spoke to the media gathered ahead of the big occasion. Whilst journalists were welcome in the press conference, the trophy was not - as the VCF boss requested for it to be removed from the table.

“Now is not the time to be photographed with the cup,” he explained. “The only photo with it that is worth anything is that from when you lift it as winners. In other games we haven’t had the trophy with us, and I see no reason to change that now.”

Pizzi expects a tough game at the Sánchez Pizjuán, telling the press that “they are a competitive side, have some very good players and a very good manager, so it will definitiely be difficult. However, despite them being considered favourites, in the last meeting between us we held them to a 0-0 draw, having played almost the entire second half with ten men.”

“Sevilla were incapable of scoring then, so I think we should see that as a reason to believe we can have a good game and push for the win,” he continued.

“We’re both in the semifinal on our own merit, although the situation in La Liga is useful for gauging which team is in better shape. On that basis they are the favourites, but it does not mean that we can’t win this tie.”

Pizzi revealed that there will be no change in approach for this game, telling the press that “we shall try to beat Sevilla with our available weapons and with our philosophy of playing. I'm sure they will give us trouble for much of the game, but we need to focus on the contest, get a good result and see if we can get through to the final. It would be an important achievement for the club and for the squad, but we can’t look ahead to that just yet.”