Unai Emery dismissed suggestions Sevilla were fortunate to overcome Athletic Bilbao in the Europa League quarter-finals as “luck has to be earned”.
Sevilla lost 2-1 at home to Athletic in Thursday’s second leg to leave the tie 3-3 on aggregate in normal time, but they still reached the semi-finals thanks to a 5-4 win on penalties as only three matches separate them from a historic, third straight triumph in Europe’s second-tier competition.
“[On Gameiro taking a penalty while injured], we felt that if he could walk and shoot then he had to take one,” the Coach said after the game.
“The key [on reaching the semi]s is that we were ready to play until the last penalty. We discussed and prepared for it.
“Some may call it luck, but I call it good luck, and that has to be earned. Athletic were great opponents.
“[On young goalkeeper David Soria’s mistakes], he’ll grow with this experience. He’s a young goalkeeper and it’s important for him to grow.”