TIME TO TAKE CONTROL OF THE GROUP AGAINST A DANGEROUSLY UNKNOWN OPPONENT

It has been eighteen days since Sevilla last played at home when they won against Celta and barely two hours later they were the leaders of La Liga Santander. More than two weeks later the setting is the same, however the competition is not. After the return to the league, we go to the Europa League, intending to leave behind the slip-up in Russia and take control of the group again with the group reaching its half-way point. To achieve this, we must beat Akhisarspor, who are having their first foray in Europe in their 38-year history after a very successful 2018. Only a decade ago, they were in the fourth division on Turkish football, but in 2012 they reached the Superliga and in their seventh season in the first division they reached Europe.

Even so, this was not due to their league position, since their record is finishing in seventh in 16/17, one spot higher than their finish last year. They are in Europe, not needing to play any knock-out rounds, it is as a result of their unexpected success in the Turkish Cup, which they managed to bring home after beating none other than Fenerbahçe in the final. If this weren't enough, they managed to win the Supercup in August after beating Galatasary on penalties, although since then they have not enjoyed the best of fortunes. In fact, at the end of September, their manager who had brought them their success was sacked, the Bosnian Safet Susic, whose post was taken up by Cihat Arslan, who had already managed Akhisarspor in 2015/16. However, the change of managers has not resulted in improved fortunes as the team is currently last in the Superliga with only one victory - curiously against the leaders, Galatasary - after nine games.

Although they are last in their league, Akhisarspor have won the Turkish Cup and Supercup in recent months

Things have not gone much better for them in the first two European matches in their history, losing at home first against Krasnodar and then being defeated 2-1 by Standard Liege in Belgium. They now come to Nervión with the tag of an unknown team for the majority of fans and without too much to lose, something which is an advantage in itself and could be a double-edged sword if Machín's men don't pay attention. On Sevilla's side, although Machín's squad list hasn't been published yet, everything seems to indicate that there could be some new faces back in the squad as Gonalons is the only player definitely ruled out. The manager has made it clear that there will be changes to the starting eleven, although it won't be a complete revolution.