Unai Emery felt Sevilla played well against Sporting Gijon, if you discount the result of the 2-1 defeat at El Molinon.
It took a last-minute Isma Lopez goal to settle the tie and Emery admitted a soft spot for the Asturians, respect for opposite number Abelardo, and didn’t criticise his team too much either.
“There were two teams with great need. Sporting were very dangerous in counter-attacks. We dealt with them better in the second half than the first. It was a pretty intense game and with a little more success would have been totally different. Taking away the result we played our best away game,” Emery said, AS reports.
“I have great sympathy for Sporting because my father played here. I told Abelardo that we play to win and he understands because he was a player. We play with total loyalty to the competition, we play to win with respect for everyone.”
Sevilla’s next game is the Seville derby with Real Betis and Emery confirmed he is looking forward to the occasion.
“It will be a beautiful and special day. The meaning is exclusive to Sevilla and to Betis. I think we have to live for one day with the idea of going for three points, with skill and determination,” he added.
