By DPA
Madrid : Sevilla footballers came together straight after the funeral of left-back Antonio Puerta for the saddest training session in the club’s history.
Coach Juande Ramos and his players flew off to Monte Carlo Thursday morning to prepare for Friday’s European Supercup showcase match against AC Milan.
UEFA had given Sevilla the choice of whether to go ahead with the Monte Carlo match or cancel it – and the Spaniards replied that they wanted to play, as a tribute to Puerta.
“We want to win this trophy again,” captain Javi Navarro told the media at Seville airport, “and to offer the trophy to Antonio and his family”.
Sevilla, therefore, will be looking for their sixth trophy within 15 months, but without their usual exuberance and spirit.
Right-back Daniel Alves, in dispute with the club in his bid to leave, is back in the squad and now coach Ramos will have to decide whether to play him or stick by Andreas Hinkel, who has done well in Alves’ absence.
Alves could be the subject of a last-minute offer from Real Madrid or Barcelona, though time is running out for such a deal.
Sevilla’s only injury doubts concern defenders Julien Escude and Adriano.