Have you had a chance to assess the Chelsea game yet?
I have and I still have the same feeling that the team showed a real determination, desire and composure to play the way that we played in that stadium. We deserved to win the game.
That was your 150th game as manager which is as many as you played. Does it feel like more or less?
I don't know. A lot has happened obviously in those two different experiences but this one has obviously been very intense. The way it started in the middle of the season and then with two years of Covid, and all the things that we had to go through, and now a different phase in the last year or so when football is back to normality and we start to see more what we want from the team.
It's a different competition on Wednesday, but are you looking for the same drive from your players?
Absolutely. It's a different competition but the purpose is the same - to play as good as we can, win the game and go to the next round. We know there are no second chances and we're gonna take it seriously.
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Will you go for a strong team or a younger one?
We’re going to pick a very competitive team. I think everyone deserves chances, and we’ll make some changes with judgement in relation to the load of the players, but we’ll play to win.
How are the team holding up after such an intense few months?
They’ve dealt with [the fixture list] really well. I think we had a really good pre-season and we put the boys in a really good condition to face this fixture congestion, and they have responded extremely well, especially the way we play which is really intense.
I think we are the team in Europe who has rotated the most, and obviously that has its benefits as well. When you are winning, the energy is better and the mood is better, but the preparation is a bit easier, so overall I think they have coped with it really well.
You probably don't get many players feeling tired when team is playing this well right?
No. The ones that haven’t played want to have their chance, and feel that they are contributing to the team. The positive thing is that everybody has played games and everyone has been important. We have two games to go, and the focus has to be there because we know that afterwards we have a big break.
What's the attitude been like from the players who have had to be patient?
I think it's been good because when they have been used, they have performed really well. Whether it's for periods in games in the Premier League and when they have started games in the Europa League and the Premier League, I think they have been really consistent. It’s a joy of a group to work with because they’re really at it every day.
How important are those players in training?
Yeah, we call coop-etition - it's compete, but cooperate. You need to understand on the day what your role is. But in training everybody has the same role which is to be at their best and make the most out of that session. To be fair it's a joy of a group to work with because they're really at it every day.
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