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A KEY FIXTURE TO SHOW THE CHARACTER AND RUTHLESSNESS OF CHAMPIONS

26/09/2017

Berizzo's Sevilla should make their superiority over the Slovenians clear - an always intense side who never surrender and come to Nervión without complications. Emery's Sevilla struggled to surpass them in 2014 (4-3 on aggregate)

The Champions League deserves a magical night in the Sánchez-Pizjuán. The Nervión colosseum opens its doors once again - for the third consecutive year - for the its first Group E fixture, following an important draw at Anfield (2-2) against Liverpool. Setting aside opponents, NK Maribor, the fixture is crucial for Berizzo's side, who will want to shape their project around good results.This is something they are doing well, despite a stumble at the Metropolitano.

The fixture is key to picking up and strengthening the character of the squad, who will need to cultivate the Nervionense gene of excellence and apply it in their day-to-day essence. The Slovenian side will be a good test - travelling from a country surging in sporting achievement - boasting a game with the intensity of the elite and showing themselves competitive in all of their clashes. Said intensity, should be the first motivation for the Sevillistas.

The proverbial Slovenian intensity should be the first motivation for the Sevillistas on what should be a magical night

From the Sevilla perspective there can be no aim other than clear victory to maintain leadership of the Group, especially after overcoming difficulties at Anfield, and knowing they could have snatched victory on two occasions. In that regard, Sevilla FC will also need to bring incisiveness to the second European clash; getting results from their patient building and showing the effects of their pressing. The opponents - on their level - have shown themselves to be a worthy side; that's to say, they also win often (they've been on the end of just one loss in 20 official fixtures in all competitions). In Europe, in the 3^rd round, they beat islanders Hafnarjördur 1-0 in both fixtures, then beat Israeli side Hapoel 1-0 at home after a 2-1 loss (their only loss) in Israel - an away goal giving them qualification to the Group Stage.

In 2014 Sevilla drew 2-2 in Maribor, then won 2-1 in Nervión in a match which saw the Slovenian side never give in

The point of reference for both teams in Europe was in February 2014, in the third Europa League-winning campaign for Sevilla FC. A 2-2 draw in Slovenia (goals from Gameiro and Fazio) and a 2-1 win in Nervión (Reyes and Gameiro) - with a goal from Vrsic in injury time which reflected the insistence of the visitors and the lesson that you can never let your guard down until the final whistle (4-3 on aggregate). An encouraging stat for Sevilla in the Champions League is that the side has won 11 of its 15 fixtures at home, with one draw and three losses; the hosts have scored in all 15. The Slovenian side has competed three times in the Champions League but has never overcome it, winning only once at home (1-0) in their 13 games played. Away from home they have only scored three goals in six matches.

Ben Yedder and Escudero were scorers in the playoff, then Ben Yedder again and Correa sealed a point at Anfield

The huge Champions League fixture this Tuesday should be a wake-up call for Berizzo's Sevilla, who with a Champions League mentality, should show the character, intensity, skill and incisiveness a European fixture demands.

If we look back to the play off which gave path to the Group Stages, Escudero and Ben Yedder sealed victory (1-2) in Turkey; the very same goalscorers made their impact in the return leg in Nervión (2-2). The Fernchman repeated the feat at Anfield and Correa sealed an important draw on English soil. To give meaning to these achievements, tonight's fixture can be nothing other than a Nervionense win. Though the opponents come without difficulties, Sevilla FC in the Champions League should be the stars, and Sevillistas should give all they have to propel their side to victory.