Good vibrations for Sevilla and Emery

Sevilla FC coach Unai Emery discusses the chance to claim back-to-back titles, final opponents FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk and "the prestige" of the UEFA Europa League in a wide-ranging interview with UEFA.com.

On this campaign …

We've never thought how far we can go – we never looked ahead, we never thought we were favourites. We never thought we were better than anyone. We knew the whole journey would be very long. We want to enjoy each moment and we're going to enjoy what remains which is one match, one final. It'll be fantastic.

The growth that the team has experienced is thanks to what we feel for the Europa League. It means something. The team want the fans to feel the vibrations that this competition gives us. We've achieved something that makes us bigger, it gives us prestige, it gives us a place in history and recognition in Europe for our hard work.

On this season's team compared to last …

It's difficult to find two teams that are the same when changes take place. There weren't many, but there were important changes in personnel: Ivan Rakitić left, Alberto Moreno left, Federico Fazio left. What has been maintained in the group in terms of how we transmit our message to the supporters is how we compete. Along the way we've definitely knocked out some teams who are better than us and have better players than we do.

On a possible record fourth win …

We can't deny that we have the chance to write history. Of course we are grateful to have that chance, to be able to pursue this. We are aiming to achieve something with this team, with Sevilla. It shouldn't feel like pressure or stop us from executing our game plan against Dnipro. It will serve more as motivation, like a dream we can achieve.

On Dnipro …

Dnipro have been the revelation of this year's Europa League because they've knocked out some top teams on the way. Teams that are historically much bigger than Dnipro, but if they knocked out Olympiacos, Ajax, Club Brugge and Napoli – who were favourites after eliminating Wolfsburg – and reached the final, it's because they deserve it. If they beat those teams, they are also capable of beating Sevilla. We'll give them respect. We'll be humble, we won't feel like favourites, we'll compete and be demanding of ourselves.

On the UEFA Europa League …

The Europa League has grown considerably. The UEFA Cup didn't have the level of competitiveness that it has today. It has grown thanks to the efforts of UEFA. As with the Champions League, there are many teams who identify themselves with the tournament. The fact the winners now qualify directly for the Champions League has made it grow even more. Teams have attached more importance to this competition.

On coaching in European competition …

I've been in Europe for seven straight years now and next year will be the eighth. I try to make sure they are learning experiences. Whether in the Champions League, where I've been three times, or the Europa League, where I've been five times, it gives you standing, weight, recognition, respect.