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Rijeka v Sevilla background

UEFA Europa League holders Sevilla FC may find the experience of neighbours Real Betis Balompié instructive as they visit HNK Rijeka in Group G.

Rijeka's Mate Maleš and Betis's Lorenzo Reyes laid low
Rijeka's Mate Maleš and Betis's Lorenzo Reyes laid low ©AFP/Getty Images

HNK Rijeka welcome UEFA Europa League holders Sevilla FC to their picturesque home stadium hoping for an even better result in Group G than they achieved against the Rojiblancos' neighbours.

Form guide
Rijeka met Sevilla's city rivals Real Betis Balompié in the 2013/14 UEFA Europa League group stage, drawing 1-1 at home and then 0-0 in Spain.

Rijeka are unbeaten in nine European games at home (W6 D3), including three draws in last season's UEFA Europa League group stage. They have not conceded at home in three European victories this term.

Sevilla were unbeaten away from home in last season's group stage as they made it all the way through from the third qualifying round to the final – where they overcame SL Benfica on penalties in Turin.

Trivia and links
Rijeka's Portuguese midfielder Ruben Lima turns 25 the day after the Sevilla game.

Sevilla defender Timothée Kolodziejczak turns 23 on the eve of the Rijeka match.

Sevilla's Daniel Carriço can make his 50th UEFA club competition appearance against Rijeka.

Rijeka are one of only four teams left in the competition who entered this season's UEFA Europa League in the second qualifying round, along with FC Krasnodar, FC Dinamo Minsk and Asteras Tripolis FC.

The coaches
• Hired in February 2013, Rijeka coach Matjaž Kek led his native Slovenia to the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals. Kek started and ended his playing career as a defender at NK Maribor – where his father and son also played – either side of a long spell in Austria, and returned there to begin his coaching career.

Sevilla coach since January 2013, one-time midfielder Unai Emery switched from playing to coaching at Lorca Deportiva CF. Having led UD Almería to the top tier, he coached Valencia from 2008 to 2012, with his side regular European contenders during that spell. More recently, he had a brief stint at FC Spartak Moskva.

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