Sevilla's Maresca: I Cannot Defend The Coach Any More

Enzo Maresca has increased the pressure on Sevilla coach Manolo Jiménez by stating that he can no longer defend him after a poor run of form has left the Andalucian outfit struggling for results.

The Italian midfielder may have meant well, his criticism of the trainer and the team could increase calls for a change to be made with fans already voicing their frustrations.

Sevilla are still in the top four, but the defeat at home to Racing at the weekend did not go down well and now Maresca has added to the sense that problems are increasing at the club.

"It is the same as when I defended the midfielders and the coach, now I cannot defend them. We are not playing well and things are not good," AS quote him as saying.

"The team has no midfielder that can create because that was Daniel Alves' role in recent seasons.

"I have been asked to try and do the job and I am trying, but if I fail twice then the criticism is strong. More than with others. I want to say that people are expecting a lot from me.

"Also, We worry too much about the opposition. We have to respect other teams, but they should be the ones that are worrying about us. That is a problem. When you go out thinking like that and do not do well it becomes a big problem."

"There is a solution and we will try to find it on Thursday (in the Copa del Rey quarter final, second leg against Valencia)."

Maresca was stung by remarks made by Jiménez that he was going through a bad patch and insists that he only needs more playing time to recover his form this season.

"I have not dipped at all. I have recovered and maybe I need to have more continuity because my rhythm is not 100 per cent," he continued.

"I played the full 90 minutes in Mestalla, but then did not pay the whole match against Getafe. I think with more minutes things will improve."

Maresca was keen to also dismiss any talk that was prepared to leave Sevilla if an offer came in for him and insisted that his new deal at the club was an indication that he wanted to stay.

"Now I have just renewed my contract and I am focussed on the team," he added.

 Lucas Brown, Goal.com