Sevilla have confirmed their head coach has been diagnosed with cancer after coming from 3-0 down to draw with Liverpool in the Champions League.
Spanish media say Eduardo Berizzo, who is suffering with prostate cancer, told his players at half-time in Tuesday’s game at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.
Sevilla’s players rushed to Berizzo after Guido Pizarro scored an injury-time equaliser in the 3-3 draw.
A club statement wished the 48-year-old Argentine a “speedy recovery”.
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It added: “The medical services of Sevilla FC report that the coach of the first team, Eduardo Berizzo, has been diagnosed with an adenocarcinoma (malignant tumour) of the prostate .
“The future examinations will allow us to decide which are the steps to follow regarding the treatment.”
We'd like to wish our former player Eduardo Berizzo a full and speedy recovery after this difficult news.
Get well soon, "Toto" 🙏 pic.twitter.com/Hjw6eJElxZ
— Olympique Marseille (@OM_English) November 22, 2017
Berizzo was appointed head coach in the summer on a two-year deal, following a three-year stint at Celta Vigo.
Roberto Firmino scored twice and Sadio Mane added the third as Liverpool dominated the opening 45 minutes of the Group E match but their hopes of qualifying for the knockout stage with a game to spare were dashed by Sevilla’s stunning second-half performance.
Wissam Ben Yedder scored with a header and a penalty in the first 15 minutes of the second half before Pizarro poked in the leveller in the third of seven added minutes.
“We had to come out with a different attitude for the fans and for the boss, he made us play like that,” said Sevilla midfielder Ever Banega.
