LOOKING TO PROGRESS TO THE QUARTER FINALS IN A HISTORIC MATCH AGAINST AS ROMA

The UEFA Europa League is back. Nearly five months since both sides were due to play this knockout tie, postponed until August due to the pandemic, Sevilla FC and AS Roma will go up against each other far from either of their home stadium, as they look to reach the quarter finals of this competition. The MSV Arena in Duisburg will host this one-off tie that will send either the Sevillistas or the Romans through to a new, decisive match next week.

Sevilla FC are going into this clash after a tough few days at the Ciudad Deportiva José Ramón Cisneros Palacios, after Nemanja Gudelj tested positive for coronavirus, meaning the team had to stop training for a few days in the build-up to this encounter. However, each and every one of their components, veterans and youngsters, know what this tournament means to the Blanquirrojos and, as Club Chairman José Castro mentioned yesterday, "there are no excuses, only hard work". After a strong finish to the LaLiga season and sealing qualification for the Champions League, the Nervionenses want to continue leaving a mark on their trophy, where no one has more or even the same number of titles.

AS Roma come into this match on the back of an eight-match unbeaten run in Serie A

The side from the Italian capital are coming into this match in similar form to the Sevillistas after their domestic season finished. After playing their final match on Saturday, AS Roma are in Duisburg with a strong run of eight matches without defeat, which has helped them to secure a spot in next season's UEFA Europa League Group Stage, a feat which appeared to be a tough ask before football was suspended due to the pandemic. Paulo Fonseca, manager of the Italian side, is unable to call on the services of Smalling and Pastore, two of his important players in this campaign, especially the English centre-half, who was on loan from Manchester United and was unable to extend his stay. 

On the Blanquirrojo side of things, Nemanja Gudelj is unavailable for tonight's game, while a 25-man travelling squad have made the trip to Duisburg. Julen Lopetegui, in his pre-match press conference, recognised the difficultly of the clash, highlighting the importance of "ambition and desire" and stating that "to beat a side as good as Roma you have to play like what the game is, a final". 

Tonight's encounter will kick off at 18:55 CET on Thursday 6th August at the MSV Arena in Duisburg. Bjorn Kuipers, from the Netherlands, will referee the match.