Pre-match reports

LOOKING TO BOUNCE BACK IN EUROPE

09/03/2023

After two league defeats, the team are looking for a positive first-leg result against Fenerbahçe

The Match

Sevilla FC vs Fenerbahçe SK, in the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 First Leg. The clash at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán will get underway at 21:00 CET.

Players to watch

Fenerbahçe have veteran Ecuadorian striker Enner Valencia in their ranks, as well as Michy Batshuayi, who may well feature after recovering from a knock. Uruguyan midfielder Diego Rossi is also dangerous going forward.

Matchday squad

Sampaoli has named a 20-man squad which is as follows: Bono, Dmitrovic, Alberto Flores, Jesús Navas, Montiel, Acuña, Telles, Nianzou, Fernando, Gudelj, Jordán, Manu Bueno, Rakitic, Ó. Torres, Suso, Ocampos, Lamela, Bryan Gil, Rafa Mir and En-Nesyri.

Press conferences

Sampaoli and Bono spoke to the media ahead of today's match. The coach spoke of the importance of playing with "energy and freedom", while the goalkeeper believes that the team "must continue working with the same determination."

Previous meetings

This will be the second European tie between the two teams. The only other meeting came in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 back in the 2007/08 season, and saw the Turkish side progress on penalties.

Referee

Frenchman Francois Letexier will take charge of this fixture. This is his first season as a referee in European competition.