Eduardo Berizzo: Sevilla head coach does not want to 'play the victim'

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Eduardo BerizzoImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Eduardo Berizzo will be on the touchline when Sevilla face Villarreal on Sunday

Sevilla head coach Eduardo Berizzo says he will decide next week whether he will continue in the role after being diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Berizzo's diagnosis was made public after his side came from three goals down to draw 3-3 with Liverpool in the Champions League on Tuesday.

The 48-year-old - known as 'Toto' - will take charge of Sunday's match at Villarreal before making a decision.

The Argentine said he does not want to "play the victim".

Initial reports suggested Berizzo had told his players about his diagnosis at half-time of Tuesday's game, though Sevilla denied that was the case.

And Berizzo said: "I didn't use such a delicate situation as this. I have enough tact and other arguments."

Sevilla's players rushed to their manager after Guido Pizarro scored the injury-time equaliser.

Berizzo, who moved to Sevilla on a two-year deal in the summer, said: "I don't like being the focus of attention.

"In my job, the players are the most important ones but I thank them for that gesture of support and for showing faith in their coach.

"I'm grateful to Pizarro for focusing the attention on me but this second half was so exciting for me as a football fanatic, I had my heart in my mouth.

"I'll be at the game tomorrow like I am at every game, and next week I will put all my attention towards solving this problem. I don't like to talk about myself or play the victim."

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