Ivan Rakitic has impressed that Sevilla are not resting on current form and are looking to improve further.
Los Nervionenses appear to have turned a corner in recent weeks, ending a 13-month winless run on the road in La Liga with consecutive away wins either side of a convincing thrashing of city neighbours Real Betis 4-0 in the derby.
Despite three successive wins pushing the side up to eighth in La Liga, their midfield talisman is urging them to maintain clarity.
“Now we are playing to improve further and to take another step forward, as every team does, including the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid,” Rakitic has told reporters today.
“After a while not winning away, we have now won twice in the last two attempts. But, nobody can relax.”
The Sevilla captain was asked of rivals Real Betis and their decision this week to sack Coach Pepe Mel.
“I respect Real Betis 100 per cent, without talking about this. Mel is a great Coach, but the board has decided as they have.
“The derby win over Betis was very important for the following the game against Granada, because with these victories, the fans are going crazy.
“We are happy with how things are going but we have to continue as we are so as to continue experiencing this.
“Last year we had a slump and we do not want that to happen again. With an eye on what happened last year, we have to remain focused.”
The Croat was given the chance to comment on speculation over a possible contract renewal at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.
“Currently there is nothing to say. We have not even sat down to negotiate and currently the important thing is that the team keeps growing.”
