Pre-match reports

SEVILLA TO SHOW FIGHTING SPIRIT AND COMMITMENT TO CONSOLIDATE LEADERSHIP OF GROUP E

17/10/2017

The first official clash with Spartak Moscow will see the Nervionenses look to consolidate leadership of the group and make a bold statement in the Champions League. Sevilla FC have always scored against Russian opponents

A crucial fixture for Sevilla FC in Champions League Group E - the first of two back-to-back matches with Russian Champions Spartak Moscow. The two respective clashes which pit Sevilla against the Russian side are set to have a huge impact on the eventual group standings. In that regard, tonight's battle in the brand new Otkrytie Arena has to be seen as a can't lose battle. The Moscow cold - which is not predicted to be extreme this evening - shouldn't freeze up the ideas or legs of the Nervionenses, who will be looking to meet their Russian opponents with all the intensity and skill an elite fixture demands and the defensive solidity and dedication every Sevillista will expect.

Sevilla have always scored against Russian opponents in their European history. On their last visit to Moscow in the 2010 Champions League (against CSKA Moscow on that occasion), the Nervionenses took the lead through Negredo, but were unable to finish the game off, with Chilean Mark González equalising for the hosts against the run of play. This Tuesday, Sevilla will need to be on their feet and avoid mistakes if they want to secure their first group victory away from home - something which has to be considered the Nervión side's only aim.

Competitive spirit, control of the game, speed in attack and skillful incision will be key

Berizzo's men, who will have felt the sting of Saturday's league loss in the San Mamés, will need to draw positives and spur themselves on to come back twice as strong on Moscow soil. Objective number one will be to show competitive spirit, alongside control of the midfield, speed in attack to catch Spartak off guard and skillful incision when opportunities present themselves. This Tuesday should see Sevilla surpass the intensity of an opponent who will come out well organised and looking for lethal counters.

Spartak coach Máximo Carrera combines an Italian defensive mentality with Brazilian attacking flair

Máximo Carrera's side, who bolster their rearguard with as many as five players, still have their defensive frailties. Up until now, their two Group E clashes have seen consecutive 1-1 draws: one away against Maribor and one at home against Liverpool. They're a team characterised by an Italian defensive mindset but Brazilian flair when going forward. In defense they take an aggressive, man-to-man approach and in attack, they boast Rio de Janeiro talent in the form of Fernando - a pivot of attacking play and scorer of one goal - and experienced forward Luiz Adriano. Behind them sits an international footballing jigsaw, with German Tasci, centre-midfielders Samedov (Russian, with a goal to his name), Megarejo (Uruguayan), Pasalic (Croatian) and Popov (Bulgarian) forming a solid unit. Captain Glushakov joins them, as well as the Dutch Quincy Promes, who poses a real attacking threat.

Spartak have only made it through the group stages once in its 11 appearances in the Champions League. In the one year they did (1996), they reached the quarter-finals of the competition - the very same mountain Berizzo's Sevilla will look to climb in a bid to out-do their previous Champions League campaigns. On their mission, they'll now look for a no-nonsense win and to display the Sevillista fighting spirit needed to continue making Champions League history.