Sevilla manager Unai Emery: "FC Barcelona is the best team in the world"

Sevilla manager Unai Emery believes that his team are arriving at the European Super Cup "better" than last year, when they lost 2-0 in Cardiff against Real Madrid. However, he said that "the favourite" is Barcelona, who are "possibly the best team in the world, that are always at a high competitive level."

After Sevilla's last training session ahead of travelling to Athens for a friendly on Saturday against AEK, before their journey to Georgia for the Super Cup on the 11th, Emery explained in a press conference that "it invites us to lay the foundation for an important season."

According to the coach, last year against Real Madrid in the same competition, Sevilla didn't come into it "in the condition" that they would have liked: "Alberto Moreno was sold the day before, Gameiro was injured, Bacca went to play with his national team... many factors that weren't ideal," he recalled.

However, the Sevilla coach has highlighted that they have "done more" and arrive "better prepared," though he admitted that Argentina international Ever Banega "has arrived late," and that "some signings haven't got used to everything due to injuries."

Furthermore, he revealed that "possibly" he won't be able to call upon Portuguese central defender Daniel Carrico against Barcelona, due to a muscle problem. Although "there are players that have had high fevers," Emery stated: "I believe that we come into it better."

Emery spoke of a "great excitement" to be able to win a trophy, although it would be tough, "there is nothing better than starting a season with a final."

"We will try to find the best version of ourselves as a team in order to win. We will search, with our ambition and our excitement, to be happy after winning the final. We want to play to win, trying to avoid comparisons to times gone by."

Regarding the intention to sign another striker to reinforce the squad and the possible interest in Spain international Fernando Llorente, the coach had "little to say in terms of a definite name, it is something for Monchi."

"I am happy with the squad, there is the necessary material to compete at a high level in all competitions. We are open to bringing in a player and we can sign someone. We talk about improving, finding opportunities in the market anywhere."

The manager admitted that "it is true" that Sevilla came to play a couple of friendlies last weekend "without being able to count on two of the strikers," Frenchman Kevin Gameiro and Italy international Ciro Immobile, due to injury problems. Emery explained that "what is ideal is to have three men up top."

In this sense, Emery has indicated that he is thinking of young youth product Juan Munoz, who is the team's top goalscorer during pre season, "we will have to study as to whether it is better if he stays or grows with another team before returning later."