Unai Emery has insisted that Sevilla’s trip to Valencia in La Liga on Sunday will not decide the outcome of the race for Champions League qualification.
The fourth-placed Andalucians lead Los Che by one point and have a game in hand of their rivals ahead of this weekend’s encounter at Mestalla, while it will mark a return for the Coach, who managed his side’s upcoming opponents between 2008 and 2012.
“It’s a sporting rivalry which I think’s bigger than football, but see it as something positive because once Valencia were superior to Sevilla,” he said at a Press conference.
“Now they’re equal since they both fight for titles. Last year’s [Europa League semi-final] was very close.
“Obviously emotions will be running high, but they are two great teams who have great players.
“The message they send is a positive one because they aspire to be in Champions League.
“Our motivation is the same because we aspire to be the same, and it’s a game we have to win because they’re direct rivals.
“It’s not easy to find the type of player who provides you with what you need. The conditions [to sign players in January] are complicated].
“The club are still seeking options, but we don’t want to sign players for the sake of signing them.
“The team are performing despite [the injuries to the likes of Jose Antonio Reyes and Benoit Tremoulinas]. For me, Sevilla’s players are the best in the world.
“Assuming that every game is the most important, I don’t think this one will be [decisive] because there’s a lot of the League to go and whatever the result will be, we’ll both continue to be near each other.
“[On Sunday], a beautiful stage will be set against opponents who have made some great signings and are in the process of building a great team. That’s why were so excited.”
