Emery calls for focus

Posted Saturday, March 30, 2013 by PA

Sevilla boss Unai Emery has urged his team to retain their focus against Levante, and not be distracted by their upcoming derby meeting with Real Betis.

The 4-0 win over Real Zaragoza last time out has left Sevilla 10th in the Primera Division standings, but the table is so closely packed they still retain aspirations of European qualification.

The destiny of their quest to secure a top-six spot could well be decided in their next three fixtures against Levante, Athletic Bilbao and Betis, sides around them in the table.

Despite the Seville derby being over two weeks away, excitement is already building in the city, but Emery has warned his side the two preceding fixtures are every bit as important.

He told a press conference: "It will be a very long break from Saturday until the following Monday so we want to compete well here, and then we have a short gap before we measure ourselves against Betis the following Friday.

"But every game you play is influenced by those that have gone before so every bit of concentration we have must be turned to this game with Levante."

Levante lie just one place below Valencia in the La Liga standings and also have hopes of launching a late run for the European places.

Manager Juan Ignacio Martinez has been given a boost ahead of the meeting at the Ciutat de Valhncia after midfielders Valdo and Michel took part in training as they recover from hamstring and knee injuries respectively, and they could play a part this weekend.

Martinez said: "This is a very important game for us, it is an opportunity for us to be at home to one of our direct rivals."