Sevilla boss Eduardo Berizzo told players he had cancer at half-time before stunning three-goal comeback
SEVILLA manager Eduardo Berizzo told players he had prostate cancer at half-time before their incredible three-goal comeback.
It is understood he revealed the tragic news to his players during the 3-3 draw with Liverpool.
And that is why a number of players sought out the Argentinian to celebrate with after the dramatic stoppage-time equaliser.
Sevilla confirmed the news with a statement on the club website.
BLOKES BE WARNED What is prostate cancer? Signs, symptoms and treatment – All you need to know
It said: "The medical services of Sevilla FC report that the coach of the first team, Eduardo Berizzo, has been diagnosed with an adenocarcinoma of the prostate .
"The future examinations will allow us to decide which are the steps to follow regarding the treatment.
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Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp talks to Sevilla manager Eduardo Berizzo after the game
DO YOU KNOW THE WARNING SIGNS?
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer affecting blokes in Britain.
Every year more than 40,000 guys are told they are facing the disease.
And it's the third deadliest cancer in the UK, largely because many men don't know they have it for several years before diagnosis.
Prostate cancer currently kills 10,900 men-a-year and Prostate Cancer UK warn that this number could surge to 15,000-a-year by 2026.
What is the prostate?
The prostate is a small gland, the size of a walnut, in a man's pelvis.It sits between the penis and bladder, around the urethra (the tube that carries pee and ejaculate).
Its main function is to produce semen, to carry sperm.
What are the symptoms?
In most cases, prostate cancer doesn't have any symptoms until the growth is big enough to put pressure on the urethra.
Signs include: Needing to urinate more often, especially at night
Needing to rush to the toilet
Difficulty in starting to pee
Weak flow
Straining and taking a long time while peeing
Feeling that your bladder hasn't emptied fully
"Sevilla FC wants to show their full support for the coach and wishes him a speedy recovery."
Berizzo is the second high-profile La Liga manager to be struck down with cancer in recent years.
Former Barca boss Tito Vilanova was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2011 and 2012 before losing his battle in 2014.
Spanish football expert Guillem Balague revealed the news last night and tweeted: "Eduardo Berizzo, Sevilla manager, has got prostate cancer.
"His real big game starts now. Sevilla will confirm soon in a public note"
Club president Jose Castro also hinted that the awful news was true as he told Spanish radio station Cope on Tuesday: “As it is a personal and complicated issue, I prefer to wait to tomorrow [Wednesday].”
Sevilla celebrate scoring a dramatic equaliser in the last seconds
Berizzo will be operated on within the next 48 hours and is expected to make a full recovery.
Though it is unclear if they will usher anyone in as a temporary replacement.
Sevilla fought back from 3-0 down earn a dramatic draw in their Champions League group stage encounter.
The comeback preserved their year-long unbeaten home record which had looked like crumbling in spectacular circumstances.
Sevilla had gone in at the break three goals down after Firmino had scored twice and Sadio Mane had grabbed the other.
After the breath-taking game, coach Berizzo spoke of his rousing team-talk at half-time and how it had the desired response.
Eduardo Berizzo's tragic news sparked Sevilla's incredible comeback
He said: "I told them that you had to play with your soul, that there is no mistake that could not be solved."
"We talked about rectifying, showing the pride we have, and that if we got the goal soon it was possible.
"They had to go out generating a different energy and people would believe. The team came out and infected 50,000 people.
"We took the risk of going for the game, and that speaks of the football bravery of the players."
Sevilla midfielder Ever Banega revealed Berizzo has the full support of the players during his battle.
He added: “It was a crazy game. We went into the changing rooms knowing that if we tried then we could pull it off.
"That’s how we have to play every game.
“We have to go out there with that attitude, for the fans that always back us and for the coach who has turned this around.
“He is the most important of all of us, he has on the right path and we are with him to the hilt.”