Óscar Arias, Sevilla FC sporting director
First team

ÓSCAR ARIAS: “THEY ARE THE LEAST WELL-KNOWN OPPONENT, BUT THAT DOES NOT MEAN THE LEAST CHALLENGING”

04/08/2017
The sporting director analysed Sevilla's opposition in the Champions League play-off round following this morning's draw

As soon as the news broke that Istanbul Basaksehir will be Sevilla's opponent in the Champions League play-off, Óscar Arias appeared on SFC Radio, where he highlighted the Turkish club's ability to “finish above strong teams like Fenerbahçe and Galatasaray this past season, or dismiss a side like Club Brugge in the previous round... so, although they might be the least well-known opponent, you have to respect this team. Because in theory, they're the least renowned name, but what I don't want to say is that they won't provide demanding opposition, equal or superior to the other teams that we previously believed could be stronger”.

"They're a very experienced team, with players like Adebayor and Clichy"

In fact, the Sporting Director stated that the opposition have the advantage in terms of “veteran players. They have experienced names like Adebayor and Clichy, and will pose a difficult challenge, especially in their stadium. We are confident that we will be able to impose our game and overcome this tie which, for us, is very important”.

"For the second leg we'll have the home advantage"

It's a tie that Sevilla FC will begin away from home: “In this competition, an away goal is worth almost doubles if there is a draw, and by that logic playing the reverse fixture away from home is a plus. That is a factor we have going against us, but we have the home advantage, which is also important”.

In terms of the team's preparation, Arias made it clear that “the feelings we're getting from the team are getting better and better. We are working on this, and only have a few games left before the tie. The feeling that we have is that we'll be in a very good place mentally and physically to face it and make it through. We're working very hard, filling spaces in the squad with important players. We have ambitious objectives and that's clear for everybody. We are aware of the fans' anticipation and excitement, and we hope to respond to that”, he added when asked about the expectation the team is generating. 

"We are in a competition which, a few years ago, we saw as something very distant and complicated"

To conclude, he was proud of the fact that Sevilla FC are in sixth position in the UEFA ranking behind Real Madrid,Atlético, FC Barcelona, Bayern de Munich y Juventus: “That tells us that we've been working very well for years, they are doing things right, and that the club is cementing itself amongst the elite. Right now we are in a competition which, a few years ago, we saw as something very distant and complicated. And this could be our third year in the Champions League. It's clear that we're on the right track".