Del Nido Hopes For Year Of 'Consolidation' For Sevilla

Sevilla might not have the most expensively assembled squad in La Liga, but the Andalucian side have certainly fought with the best this year, beating both Villarreal and Real Madrid lately.

Despite getting knocked out of the UEFA Cup, president José María Del Nido is still pleased with the year his side have had, and today set out his aims for 2009.

"I hope that next year we can consolidate, as we have done over recent years, to put us up with the biggest teams," he said to AS.

"We are on a good path, we have been through a tricky calendar, we are second, and we are still competing for two trophies.

"We did not achieve an objective, because losing in the UEFA Cup was not foreseen, but it has happened...We must be hopeful, as I look to the future, and not to the past."

Indeed, Sevilla have had a strong finish to the year to leave themselves well positioned for the rest of the season. They still trail leaders Barcelona by ten points though, and Del Nido knows they need the Catalan side to slip up if they are to launch a challenge.

"To win a league, a team that is second level has to do so with 70 or 80 points, not in a championship that is won with 90. If Barça continue as they are, they will finish more than ten points above second," he mused.

The president also admitted that both Real Madrid and Barcelona are way above the rest in terms of economic stature, but said that despite the money, 'no president can promise titles, and one who does is mistaken.'

Del Nido also spoke briefly about the upcoming encounter with Osasuna, saying that they will have to work hard if they are to take all three points against the side bottom of the league.

James Walker-Roberts, Goal.com


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