Sevilla Coach: We Cannot Defend the Box Like This for the Final Attack

After Sevilla drew 1-1 away against Espanyol, their head coach Luis Garcia said after the match that the team's penalty-area defending against the opponent's final attack must be corrected.

Sevilla drew 1-1 away against Espanyol. Because Sangante was sent off, Sevilla played with one fewer player for a long period.

Speaking about the red card, Luis Garcia said: “Some decisions made things very complicated. Sangante touched the ball first, and this was not a red card. There is no room for explanation. After touching the ball, what else could he do? He was already on the ground and touched the ball, he could not avoid it, and he could not simply disappear. Sometimes decisions go in our favor, and sometimes they go against us. This time, everyone I communicated with on the sidelines thought it was not a red card.”

Regarding his communication with the referee, he said: “The referee did not explain the situations of the two goals to me. When he showed me a yellow card, he came over and explained the sending-off incident, but I do not know about the two goals. I have not watched them yet.”

Talking about the match, he said: “I think this was a match with a lot of content. We were under pressure at the start, but from the 15th minute onward we adjusted very well, and I think we had already taken control of the game then. After going down to ten men, we played a great match. We not only scored a goal, but we also had direct chances against the goalkeeper. Guridi created a one-on-one opportunity for Lucas, and we could have taken a 0-1 lead earlier. The opponent scored in a very strange way, and we cannot defend the box like this for the final attack. This is a mistake we must correct.”

Speaking about the team's performance, he said: “I have always said that the value of points in the first round is the same as in any later round. We have already earned 7 points, experienced various favorable and unfavorable situations in several matches, and also produced many impressive moments. We are a very entertaining team to watch. After the transfer window closed, my players are the best. The current Sevilla is competitive in every match. Even when we were 0-3 down at halftime against Atletico Madrid previously, we still played well in the second half. I hope this competitive spirit never disappears.”

Speaking about Fofana and Stasin, he said: “Fofana has not played a full 90 minutes since February 1, but I think he can bring strong physicality and excellent forward progression to the team. I think Lucas will adapt very well too. At times, he can even play alongside Isak or Robi, although they have trained together very few times. Because of the red card, I was unable to bring on Felix. Everyone is important.”