Unai Emery isn’t giving up on fifth place as he wants to avoid Sevilla having to play European qualifiers too early in the summer.
Los Rojiblancos are seventh going into the penultimate round of the season, six points behind fifth-place Athletic Bilbao with Celta Vigo separating the sides and though his team are in two Cup finals – the Copa del Rey and Europa League – Emery isn’t ready to walk away from domestic aims.
“The 38 rounds mean steadiness and credibility, the first source of access to the objectives we pursue. Europe and the Cup are companions on the pursuit of the objectives. The circumstances have allowed us to reach finals,” he said prior to Sevilla’s game against Granada, AS reports.
“Of course, we take into account that we have two finals and which have cost so much to achieve, but seventh doesn’t guarantee Europe because it would be early in August. We’re going to keep fighting for fifth in this context.
“We have to go for three points. We’re playing in our stadium, and the first thing that inspires is respect for our fans. We want to end the season at Nervion with a win. We have the opportunity to enjoy the moment.
“Of course [with two Cup finals] we are very excited and people are making preparations for two moments of great enjoyment for the fans. I would have liked more time to prepare for the two finals.”
