Unai Emery offered no criticism of the Sevilla players despite a convincing defeat against Manchester City that leaves their Champion League future in doubt.
Sevilla were beaten 3-1 at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan with all the goals coming in the first half, and the Coach lamented the difficulty in the step up in class the Champions League represents.
“City played a good game. They learned a lesson [from the first game]. I have nothing for which to blame my players. We knew they had speed and their counter-attacks hurt us and we couldn’t equalise two goals,” he said, AS reports.
“The Champions League provides a greater dimension but it is also more difficult. City and Juventus are the group favourites. We have to find the balance. We can be second even though we depend on Juventus and we have to play our trump card. They’re still favourites.
“There were times we were able to respond, but not enough. I’m not upset with the work, just the result. I wish I had more options to beat them.
“Football brings us to different paths but none are easy. The team is strong in difficulty. We’re always united. We’ve a beautiful game on Sunday against Real Madrid and there is always hope.
“Players don’t grow overnight. Some take years, like Federico Fazio, others months like Dani Alves. Even Carlos Bacca needed time. They enter a team where the dynamic is work and patience. People want more because they come to the ground excited.”
