Juan Iglesias: “The key is that we all pull in the same direction”

“The key is that we all pull in the same direction from the outset,” Juan Iglesias said. In an interview on Thursday, the Sevilla full-back discussed several current topics, from the mood in the squad to the recent draw with Levante. He also called Isaac’s dismissal in that match “unfair.”

The result left Iglesias with regrets. “We’ve already forgotten that match,” he said, while acknowledging that the disappointment lingered after the final whistle, in the dressing room and on the journey home. In his view, his team had done enough to take all three points, making the draw all the more frustrating.

He was equally forthright about the sending-off. Iglesias believes the referee could have interpreted Isaac’s celebration differently, particularly as the player had already been booked. He accepts that the rules allow a provocation to be punished, but argues that reducing a team to 10 men should require a very clear reason. He added that, in this case, the crowd received only a financial fine, while his team lost two points and a player for the weekend. Those, he said, were the consequences of the decision, rather than an objection to the rule itself.

The interview comes as Iglesias describes the mood as positive, despite early doubts following more difficult seasons. He says the group quickly found a common direction and has shown week after week that it can compete, even with a largely new squad. In his view, the team can continue to improve and build a strong collective unit.

He credits much of that unity to the work of the coaching staff, the sporting directorate and the president. He also points to the coach’s role in integrating players quickly and helping them understand his ideas, including those who arrived late. “In football today, there’s no time to think: you have to adapt,” he said. The atmosphere established during pre-season, he added, is crucial in helping the group get through difficult spells.

Iglesias also welcomes the players’ involvement in the pre-match team talks, an initiative from the coach that he says gives everyone a sense of participation at an important moment. He described his relationship with Luis García Plaza as one built on mutual understanding from the day he arrived.

On the pitch, he highlighted defensive balance and collective effort. He believes the team has scored in its matches and stressed the importance of conceding few goals and keeping a clean sheet. He pointed to the defensive work of the forwards, attributing 11 kilometres of running to them, as well as a shift towards a more direct style based on winning the ball and moving forward.

The competition in midfield is another strength, in his view. Iglesias considers the level high and cited Fofa’s arrival alongside the work of Luci, Kocho, Jon and Manu. He sees that depth as a regular challenge for the coach and a positive sign for the group. He also noted that several academy players had helped the team since pre-season and could get playing time during the season.

Finally, Iglesias is pleased to see his team among the well-placed sides in the Liga, with 14 points from 24. But he warned that plenty of points remain and said the position should motivate the group to pursue another win in every match, not become complacent. The return after the international break, he said, came with a positive feeling, supported by confidence and collective energy. He also offered support to Miguel Sierra, who has been injured: Iglesias described him as mentally strong and said the group would be waiting for him as he recovers.