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HISTORIC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE CHALLENGE FALLS IN NERVIÓN, BEFORE A HOME SEVILLA CROWD

22/08/2017

An historic fixture that would guarantee Sevilla FC's third consecutive season in the best competition in the world. Humility should dominate a clash between a team which has always beaten Turkish teams at home and opponent which has never won away in Europe

This tuesday should go down in red in the historic records of Sevilla FC. A red Nervión, a red-hot and historic fixture and red-hot passion from the 'Sevillistas' there help Sevilla FC overcome their challenge - just one more which waits to be achieved. To qualify for the third time -yes, again- to the group phases is something which only the big teams have achieved and should be considered one of the many incentives tonight´s European clash presents. For this second-leg play off, Sevilla FC vs. Istanbul-Basaksehir, a final in its own right, everything else comes to a halt . However, despite being just within reach, humility should dominate this stellar fixture. The important first-leg win (1-2, with goals from Escudero and Ben Yedder) six days ago has to be forgotten. To dwell on that positive result helps nobody and the aim, above anything else, is to fight for a win. A win we'll only be able to achieve with the support of every 'Sevillista'.

A win with the support of the fans is the only objective, the 1-2 first-leg result is only a point of reference.

The omens are favourable for Sevilla FC. In three meetings against Turkish opposition 'Los Nervionenses' won the first 1-0 nearly five decades ago against Eskisehirspor (with a goal from Eloy Matute), but then lost 3-1 on Turkish soil. In the 05/06 season, Sevilla won 3-0 against Besiktas(goals from Saviola two from Kanouté) in the group stages of the UEFA Cup.

Much more recently (2008) in the eighth Champions League, Sevilla won again in a close 3-2 victory against Fenerbahçe (Alves, Keita and Kanouté again); the same score as in the first-leg, and ending with a painful penalties loss for the 'Sevillistas'. Perhaps one of the team's most painful European memories of all - preventing progression to the quarter-finals. A positive stat for Berizzo's men, however, is that an away win in Europe has always guaranteed progression on returning to the Sánchez-Pizjuán.

The Turkish opponents look for their first away win and Sevilla look to cement themselves amongst Europe's elite

The Turkish team comes not seeing the game as lost. Their aim is to win their first game away in Europe . Their European record away from Turkey is two losses and two draws, one of which being a 3-3 draw with Club Brugge. There options are clear: look for dangerous counter-attacks and create goals.

Their veteran striker Emmanuel Adebayor is already well-known to 'Sevillistas'; he played in Arsenal's 3-0 win against Sevilla FC in the group phases of the 2007/08 Champions League, and scored in the 2-0 semifinal of Copa del Rey in 2011, when playing for Real Madrid. Clichy also faced Sevilla and Emre came to the Sánchez-Pizjuán in 13/14 with Atlético Madrid. The Turkish side, though also eager to make use of the ball, showed in the first-leg six days ago that their most dangerous weapon is to wait and counter-attack. The experience and professionalism of many of their players means that Berizzo's side will have to be alert and concentrated to prevent their opponents from getting too close to their penalty area and finding a pass close to goal. Cutting off their options is the first objective. The second is to offer Sevilla a memorable night with the aim of entering European football's elite. Entering it and staying in it.