Alves surfing on Sevilla wave

"Three players in one" was how Spanish sports daily AS described right-back Daniel Alves, whose relentless surges up the right flank were such a feature of Sevilla FC's UEFA Cup final defeat of Middlesbrough FC last season. With Sevilla preparing to defend their crown against RCD Espanyol, the 24-year-old Brazilian told uefa.com how the Andalusian club have built on last term's triumph, and explains why he would rather not be facing a fellow Spanish side in the final.

uefa.com: What has changed for Sevilla since winning the UEFA Cup?

Daniel Alves: Teams learn from what they've been through. It has given us the capacity to improve, to grow. Since winning the UEFA Cup the club has evolved a lot. Hopefully we'll be able to keep winning trophies and keep on growing because we're on the right path.

uefa.com: Is it different facing a Spanish opponent in the final?

Alves: We would have liked to come up against a team who didn't know us, because we have our characteristics, our way of playing and playing Espanyol is more difficult because they know us perfectly.

uefa.com: How would you describe yourself as a player?

Alves: What I want is to be there for the team, to bring something to the team. I don't try to play for myself but to help the team keep going. We're on a very positive path, we're winning games and enjoying it, and hopefully we will carry on like this because it's a pleasure to watch Sevilla play.

uefa.com: You have attracted interest from a lot of major clubs. Can you see yourself being at Sevilla next season?

Alves: It's a complicated topic and right now it's an awkward moment to talk about it. This is a period where we can't afford to get distracted by anything, we have to focus on the games and we've got a lot at stake. When the time comes, we'll talk about what we need to discuss but first we have to try to win a trophy then we'll see what decision we take.

uefa.com: How do you describe the impact Juande Ramos has made at Sevilla since becoming coach in 2005?

Alves: He is a coach who in a very short time has made history with Sevilla. He's come here and imposed his way of playing, his way of working and it has been very positive. People are very happy to have him because he's doing a very good job for Sevilla. He has been more or less the one who has changed Sevilla in the sense of us achieving things.

uefa.com: How have you found competing on three fronts – for the Primera División, Copa del Rey and UEFA Cup? Is this hard for a club like Sevilla?

Alves: Of course it's difficult, but since winning the UEFA Cup only good things have happened to us. Right now Sevilla fans can't believe what is happening. A few years ago it was about working to get a UEFA Cup place and in the last year it's been about enjoying finals. We have to enjoy this nice moment and always keep the aim of winning but not get obsessed about it because it could be harmful.

uefa.com: What would constitute a successful season for Sevilla?

Alves: It would be a success to win two trophies; it would be good to win one. We could win two and if we cannot win the league, then qualification for the UEFA Champions League is our first goal.

This is an abridged version of an article that appears in this week's edition of the uefa.com Magazine. To read the article in full, click here.