Former Manchester City star Jesus Navas will play in Saturday’s final against Barcelona aiming to lift his third Copa del Rey with Sevilla at the Wanda Metropolitano, having previously done so in 2007 and 2010.
Navas says the Rojiblancos must come out focused from the start against La Liga’s dominant leaders, and face the match with the "same intensity" they managed in March’s 2-2 draw where only two late Barça goals denied them victory.
What will you have to do to beat such a strong team in the Copa del Rey final?
I think we played a very serious game here a few weeks ago and we have to start with the same intensity and attitude.
Do you see the match as a chance to avenge what happened in 2016? Barça won with two late goals that day...
Every game is different. We have to be very focused, we’ve already played very serious matches against very big teams, and we have to come out with that attitude.
You've already won the Copa del Rey twice. Will you be drawing on that experience for this year's final?
Very much so. For the fans, and for us to be able to win another title, would be something very big. We have to be very focused, though, because we know that any detail can mark the game.
What would it mean for you to win the Copa del Rey again?
It would be a big deal. To go back to Seville, to win again... that's why I'm working, to keep on getting titles for Sevilla.
It would be a great dream; impressive for Sevilla to be able to get a title. It’s always difficult to win things, so to do so here would be something very big for us and for the fans.
Barcelona will play in this final having been eliminated in the Champions League. Is that a positive or negative factor?
They have players who are very experienced and know how to disconnect from one match to another. It's a final, and they're going to play it with maximum intensity. We have to be very focused.
You had a very difficult quarter-final against Bayern. How do you rate those two matches?
At home, we didn't have any fortune with the goals we conceded. We played a very serious game against Bayern, although we didn't get a goal to show for it, but the team gave it everything and that's what's important.
How is the team after being eliminated in the Champions League?
We wanted to go far, and we made it to the quarter-finals, but the team always wants more. We wanted to be in the semi-finals but we know that we worked as hard as we could and that's what matters.
What message does it send to Sevilla fans?
That we're going to give it our all in every game we have left in the league, and in this final. We're going to give it our all in every game to go far and win the title for our fans.
Jesus Navas will wear New Balance’s Furon boots in the Copa del Rey final. Follow NB Football across social media: Instagram, Twitter and Facebook
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