วันพุธที่ 19 พฤษภาคม พ.ศ. 2553

Navas: This win was for Puerta


Jesus Navas says Sevilla will dedicate their Copa del Rey success to former defender Antonio Puerta.

Sevilla had won five trophies in 18 months prior to Puerta's passing, but had been unable to add any silverware to their collection since the full-back's sad demise.

That changed last night, though, as Diego Capel and Navas scored early and late, respectively, at the Nou Camp to clinch the club's fifth Copa del Rey title.

And Navas told TVE straight after the match: "This title is for Antonio Puerta."

Sevilla coach Antonio Alvarez later revealed the squad had watched a video of Puerta's decisive extra-time goal against Schalke in the 2006 UEFA Cup, a stunning strike which earned the club a place in the final and began an impressive streak of titles under former coach Juande Ramos.

"The moment before we went on to the pitch, the last thing we put on was Antonio Puerta's goal, the one that got us to the final," he said.

Those images clearly helped to motivate Sevilla as the Andalusians went ahead after just five minutes.

It caps an impressive week for the Sanchez Pizjuan outfit, who also sealed Champions League qualification with a last-gasp win at Almeria with 10 men on Saturday night.

"It has been a very good week - we have got into the Champions League and now we have won the Copa del Rey," Navas beamed.

Alvarez is a big part of that success, having taken over from previous coach Manolo Jimenez with the team struggling to stay in touch with the top four.

The new man has achieved both of his objectives but he remains unsure if he will remain in charge beyond the summer.

"I arrived in a delicate moment and tried to change things," he said.

"I have had the unanimous support of the squad and that has been so important in achieving our objectives, but I don't know what will happen now," he added.

Whatever does happen, the coach says he will long enjoy this moment.

"It's impossible to describe," he said.

"As assistant coach I have won titles, but to do it as a number one, I can't put it into words - that's what the greatness of football gives you," he added.

Meanwhile, Atletico coach Quique Sanchez Flores was disappointed his side were unable to complete a cup double after last week's Europa League success in Hamburg, but says he could not have asked for any more from his players.

"We would love to have won another title," he said.

"The team died on their feet, they never stopped attacking or playing. It was a very intense match and the Atletico Madrid players gave absolutely everything, from the first moment to the last," he added.

In between Sevilla's two goals, Atletico dominated, and Sanchez Flores believes his side should have been rewarded with a goal.

"If football were more logical, we would have found a goal, but we lost and there's a new champion, Sevilla, who had two opportunities in the fourth minute and in the 94th," he said.

Atletico's fans sang for a whole half an hour to lift their players on the final whistle and the club's coach was full of praise for their support.

"The fans have given a lesson in humility, commitment and heart. We are very grateful because they were immense in the final," he said.

"I don't know if the fans are satisfied," he added. "But they have taken the opportunity to celebrate the fact that we are champions of Europe, which is no small thing."

But this was Sevilla's night in the end and the Andalusians will now look towards Europe once more.

"We have shown we are a big club in Spain and also in Europe," club president Jose Maria Del Nido said.

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