A TRIP TO GERMANY FOR A KEY FIXTURE IN GROUP G

Sevilla FC are back in action in Europe's elite competition and that means a trip to last season's Bundesliga runners-up, VfL Wolfsburg, who are enjoying their third season in the Champions League. After draws in Nervión and Lille last week, the four teams in the group head into Matchday 2 with a point apiece, meaning that a win is absolutely vital for everyone. The VfL Wolfsburg Arena is hosting its first Champions League match in six seasons, when they went extremely close to reaching the semi finals with a 2-0 win against Real Madrid, but went on to lose the return leg 3-0 at the Bernabéu. 

Julen Lopetegui is without the suspended En-Nesyri for the fixture, but Óliver Torres has been deemed fit enough to travel, while young striker Iván Romero also travels with the first team. The coach praised the German side, who finished second in last season's Bundesliga and were unbeaten this season until Saturday, when Hoffenheim came from behind to win. As for Lopetegui's counterpart in the home dugout, Mark van Bommel, he declared Sevilla to be favourites for this clash, as a side who are very much used to playing in this tournament, and as a winner of European titles. As for The Wolves, the injured Otavio and the suspended Brooks are unavailable, while Schlager, William and Białek are not registered in their squad. 

Otavio and Brooks miss out for the hosts

Due to current restrictions in Germany, the Wolfsburg Arena will not be full for the encounter, with a 50% limit imposed on stadia with a capacity of under 25,000, which is the approximate capacity for the stadium in European competition. An attendance of around 12,000 is expected, with those present requiring COVID tests or a certificate of vaccination. Approximately fifty Sevilla fans are expected to make the journey to northern Germany. 

The referee for tonight is Georgi Kabakov, aged just 35 and from Bulgaria, a referee who has never taken charge of a match involving either club. This will be only his ninth UEFA Champions League tie, his fourth in the Group Stage. However, he has officiated over sixty European clashes since becoming a FIFA referee in 2013.