Vincenzo Montella is banking on Sevilla’s pedigree in Finals when they face Barcelona for the Copa del Rey as he insists beating them is ‘possible’.
Montella’s Sevilla have fallen out of top-four contention in La Liga but have fared significantly better in cup competitions, knocking Manchester United out to reach the Champions League quarter-finals and setting up a Copa Final with Barca, with whom they drew 2-2 last month after taking a 2-0 lead.
“It’s a very important game,” the Coach said at a Press conference.
“We’re in the Final. We did well in the Champions League, we’ve dropped several points in La Liga and fighting for fifth or sixth.
“Almost every team in Europe lose in some of the competitions they’re in. I’m talking about [Manchester] City, [Real] Madrid, Barca…
“They haven’t done well in all the competitions they’ve been in. We have a great chance of winning the Copa against a formidable team.
“Every game is different. It’s clear that we see it possible to beat Barca. You have to be focused for the entire game and not drop your intensity at any moment.
“Sevilla have very good pedigree in Finals. I believe every Final is different, like every game, but we’ve prepared in the best way possible and we’re confident. Anything’s possible in a one-off game.
“It’s a huge chance for everyone to win a trophy, the coaching staff, players, club… It’s disappointing that we won’t be in the Champions League next season as we’ve showed that we can compete in it.
“I have an idea of the team I’ll play, but I haven’t decided it fully yet. It’ll be very difficult because I can only choose 18 players and some will have to sit in the stands.
“It’s my responsibility and duty, but it doesn’t make me happy. It’ll be a balanced game, which will be decided by a detail, hopefully a Sevilla one.
“Messi? He’s an alien, although I hope he won’t be on planet Earth. We can’t let him have the ball.”
