Emery: Good result, but…

Unai Emery was left impressed with Sevilla’s competitive debut but lamented Jose Antonio Reyes’ injury and admitted a fitter side ‘could have done more’.

Los Nervionenses began 2013-14 on Thursday evening by hosting Montenegrin outfit Mladost in the first leg of the Europa League third qualifying round.

A first-half goal from summer signing Carlos Bacca was followed up in the second half with late efforts from Diego Perotti from the penalty spot and another debutant in Daniel Carrico.

“We are to be satisfied, we have recorded a clean sheet and the result is good,” Emery considered post-match.

“It was an inferior opponent, but they put many people in defence and it cost us more than we wanted to find a way through. But the team has looked for those ways and has worked.

“It is true that we are in a phase where the team will still have certain shortcomings, especially in terms of fitness, but this is normal.

“I am happy with the result, the work and play, taking into account the conditions such as we need to be fresher.

“We have practically allowed the opponents nothing in attack, whilst at the other end our players have been in line.

“The new signings? Bacca scored, Pareja has been correct, Carrico has played well, Vitolo found things better on the right than on the left and Jairo is comfortable every time he goes towards goal.

“It was a good result, but with a little more physical shape we could have done more.”

Sevilla lost Jose Antonio Reyes to injury midway through the first half, complaining of discomfort in his knee.

“The penalty has been Reyes’ injury. It has been the negative note of the game. It doesn’t look serious but neither is it mild.

“We will wait for the analysis of the doctor to see what he has done.”

The 29-year-old left the stadium on crutches.

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