Sevilla manager Diego Alonso optimistic despite uphill Champions League task following Arsenal defeat

Sevilla manager Diego Alonso has admitted that beyond winning, not much else matters, but was pleased that his team competed well with Arsenal.

Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus put paid to Sevilla’s unbeaten record in Europe this season, despite Nemanja Gudelj pulling one back for Sevilla.

Alonso, in just his second game, said he had seen plenty from his side too.

“Winning isn’t the most important thing, it’s the only thing. I can’t feel otherwise. But after the result we got, then I have to analyse the rest. My team gave it their all, competing against the team that only a few days ago was the leader of the Premier League. And three days ago, we played against the leader of the Spanish league. We must also take that into account.”

"Winning isn’t the most important thing, it’s the only thing. I can’t feel otherwise. But after the result, then I have to analyse the rest. My team gave everything, competing against the team that recently was of the Premier League."#SevillaFC's Diego Alonso pic.twitter.com/uFbvr3naPl

— Football España (@footballespana_) October 25, 2023

Sevilla are now looking at an uphill task, having taken just two points from their opening three games, with a trip to Arsenal up next. After Lens beat PSV Eindhoven, moving onto five points, one more win for the French side, would take them within a point of qualification.

“Sadly, we weren’t capable of getting the result we wanted. And we went into half-time with an adverse result, and that didn’t suit us well. And as for the competition, this isn’t over until the last whistle. We won’t give up. We have a dream, which is playing in the last 16, and we will keep it alive until the last game is over.”

“I think we lost because they scored two goals, and we could