Sevilla have confirmed their head coach has been diagnosed with cancer after they came from 3-0 down to draw with Liverpool in the Champions League.

Spanish media reported on Wednesday how the coach informed his players of the condition at half-time during the 3-3 Champions League draw with Liverpool. At the time, Sevilla were trailing 3-0.

If so, Berizzo’s address to his side must have been one of the most emotional of any coach, and will go some way to explaining the vast difference in application from the side in both halves of an extraordinary game.

A club statement confirmed reports of Berizzo’s illness.

“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,” read a Sevilla statement.

Sevilla midfielder Ever Banega said the players were determined to react to the half-time deficit for their coach, as well as their boisterous support who created a cauldron as their side fought back.

In the end, Sevilla came from a 3-0 deficit to draw with Liverpool.