Sevilla Coach Unai Emery heaped praise on his side’s resilience following their Europa League final victory over Benfica.
The match in Turin against the Portuguese champions ended goalless after extra-time, with the Rojiblancos holding their nerve to win the trophy on penalty kicks.
Speaking at his post-match Press conference, the 42-year-old hailed a special night for the Andalusian club and said his team had learned how to suffer during matches but still emerge victorious.
“It’s a night for everyone associated with Sevilla,” Emery told reporters. “The Sevilla fans feel a certain identity and they support us as a way of being happy.
“We have given them our dedication because we have a responsibility to them. In turn, they have given us the ability to suffer and to learn to suffer.
“We suffered against Betis, against Porto and against Valencia and we have known how to compete. We didn’t know which of the teams was stronger in the final but we needed to compete.
“Both teams competed well, we had our chances and we competed right until the end, including the penalties.
"We knew that whoever scored first would have the best chance to win but we also knew that if we battled well we would have a chance.
“There were players in discomfort at the end and it was difficult to endure it. We needed to prepare for the penalties but in the end it went well.
“The fact that Sevilla were coming off the back of two years without Europe gave us the responsibility to do something this time. It was a necessity, and also a desire.
“At the first match of the campaign against Podgorica there were a lot of people there and it excited us.
“We knew the journey would be tough and that we would need to use our enthusiasm. We needed to be able to be competitive.
“This joy is the end of a climb that has taken me personally from the Segunda to the Primera, then to three years in the Champions League. The opportunity of a final game around and we won.
“While I have the chance to coach teams like Valencia and Sevilla there is always a chance of doing something. I have been fortunate and, thanks to Sevilla, I have been able to do it.
“The players, the President and the directors really want to be with the fans and with those who are feeling great joy.”
Emery was then asked about comments by opposite number Jorge Jesus, who claimed the better team lost.
“I think the better team won. Benfica were deserving finalists and we respect them, we are both teams who defend well.
“You need to be fair and I think we were worthy winners of the Europa League.”
