UEFA Europa League Preview: Group J
Paris St. Germain Vs Borussia Dortmund:
French side Paris St. Germain (PSG) face German side Borussia Dortmund tonight in the Group J clash of UEFA Europa League.
Paris St. Germain are currently leading the group after taking 7 points which include 2 wins and a draw from 3 games. A win at Parc des Princes would assure them qualification for the knock out stages with 2 games in hand.
This tie is before PSG’s big match against Marseille on Sunday in Ligue1 and Brazilian midfielder Nene is already looking forward to experience the rivalry for the first time. Nani believes that the match against Dortmund is a great chance to get prepared
for the derby match against Marseille and a great chance for the Parisian side to continue its European adventure.
The stats are in favor of the Paris based team as Paris St. Germain have a 100% record against German opposition at home and are yet to lose in Europe for 11 matches since November 2006. PSG haven’t conceded a single goal in the last six matches and the
solid PSG defence would give formidable resistance to Borussia Dortmund. The German side are the top scorers in Bundesliga but are yet to find their feet in Europe this season after scoring only 2 goals in 3 games.
Dortmund coach, Jurgen Klopp is optimistic ahead of the match and would be looking to improve on the 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture. He said that his team will fight to bring the points back that they lost at home and knows that a win would be a great result
and even a draw can keep his side in the race to book a qualification berth for the knockout stages.
Borussia Dortmund would be looking up to Nuri Sahin to provide creativity in the midfield as well as assistance to Lucas Barrios who already has 5 goals in the season so far. Japanese midfielder, Shinji Kagawa would be the key for the German side as they
look to achieve a win that will take them to the 2nd spot.
Seville Vs Karpaty Lviv:
Seville would be looking to forget their mauling at the hands of Barcelona when they face the struggling Ukrainian side, Karpaty Lviv tonight.
Seville lost to Barcelona 5-0 at Camp Nou and would want to change their misfortunes in the La Liga as they face a relatively easy tie against Karpaty. A victory would move them closer to the knockout stages' qualification.
Seville midfielder Romaric is desperate to make amends of the humiliation at Camp Nou and believes that the team has the ability to bounce back in style and should be looking beyond the 5-0 defeat. The Spanish side was knocked out by Braga in the Champions
League play-offs and had a disappointing start in the Europa League as they lost their 1st match at home to leaders Paris St Germain.
However, Seville seem to have found their touch after recording victories against Borussia Dortmund and Karpaty and are lying in 2nd place, a point behind PSG and 2 points in front of Dortmund.
Karpaty are yet to register a win and would be desperate for a win to keep their chances alive for qualification when they face Seville at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan. Seville manager Manzano knows the importance of the match and will look to field a strong starting
11 with Luis Fabiano and Federic Kanoute upfront.
Jesus Navas and Simone Perotti would be looking to add menace to the left and right flanks and are expected to encounter minute resistance at home. Seville will welcome the return of Didier Zakora after the Ghanaian missed the clash against Barcelona through
injury.
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