Europa League preview: Sevilla FC - Borussia Dortmund
Winner takes all
Sevilla are going through a torrid time with the Seville base club struggling to make an impact on any front. Rojiblancos were expected to feature in the current edition of Champions League but lost to Sporting Braga in the Champions League play-offs. Failure
to make it to the elite European completion coupled with a poor start to the league cost Antonio Alvarez his job but the new manager Gregorio Manzano has seen little improvement.
Rojiblancos have not registered a victory in their last five games in all competitions. However, Los Nervionenses are one of the only two teams who have managed to defeat the German Bundesliga outfit. On match day two, the two teams went head-to-head in
Germany where Luca Cigarini’s strike made all the difference as Rojibalncos returned with the three points.
Things have changed drastically since then. While Sevilla are struggling to make an impact in La Liga and currently languish in the eleventh spot, BVB are flying high in the league and are leading the German charts with an impossible 11 points. However,
having said that, Sevilla only need a point to seal a place for the next round. With home advantage set to be a factor, a point will not be too much of an ask as Sevilla are favourites for this game.
Victory a must for Die Schwarzgelben
This game will be like a final for the two teams as failure for either side will put an end to their European adventures this season. BVB were unlucky as they were drawn with the likes of Sevilla and Paris-Saint Germain but they have done well do stay in
contention for progression despite having a young and in-experienced squad.
Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp has brushed aside any talks of an easy outing against the struggling Sevilla.
"They have a strong defensive line, good forwards and midfielders who often score goals. They are playing nice football and that has to be an incentive for us. We have fought so much to have the chance of reaching the next stage. We knew this would be a
very difficult group but we can win the match. Sevilla are a great team even though they are not in good form at the moment."
Klopp must warn his men against complacency as despite being woefully out of form, Sevilla posses some experienced big match players who can put BVB to sword should Klopp’s men lose focus during the game.
Team News
Sevilla FC
Gregorio Manzano will be sweating over the fitness of his star attackers Diego Perotti and Jesus Navas and their inclusion will depend on a last minute fitness test.
Borussia Dortmund
Jurgen Klopp might have to play without the services of Mario Götze, Nuri Şahin and Sven Bender as the trio are awaiting fitness tests before they can get their names on the team sheet. The absence of Nuri Sahin in particular will be a huge blow.
Key Players
Andres Palop
With Sevilla only needing a point to seal their round of 32 spot, all they need is a draw. Should the home defence manage to keep a clean sheet, Sevilla will have sealed their qualification but with Rojiblancos defence having been penetrated 26 times in
15 league games, goalkeeper Andres Palop will have to be on his best and not rely on the hapless defence standing in front of him.
Lucas Barrios
The Paraguayan international has lit the Bundesliga with some truly mesmerising performances and will need to replicate his domestic form on continental front. Since a draw is no use to BVB, the Dortmund forwards must score if their side is to register a
win and Barrios will be the man in charge of leading the victory.
Prediction
Sevilla will have to play without the talented duo of Navas and Perotti and that should be reason enough for the home side to struggles. Sevilla have been a complete mess while Borussia are having their best season in recent history. The pattern will continue
tonight as BVB will complete Sevilla’s misery with a hard-fought 2 – 1 victory away from home.
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