Sevilla and Athletic prepare to battle to the last
Wednesday, April 13, 2016
Article summary
Three points separate Sevilla and Athletic in the Liga and there was little to choose between them last week, too. Neither coach expects anything different this time, either.
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Article body
- Sevilla came from 1-0 down to claim a long-awaited away win in last week's first leg
- Athletic's Aritz Aduriz is the UEFA Europa League's nine-goal top scorer
- This is the sides' 160th meeting. Athletic are sixth in the Liga, Sevilla seventh
- Sevilla looking to become the first team to lift the trophy three years running
- Semi-final draw streamed live from Nyon at 12.30CET on Friday 15 April
Possible lineups
Sevilla: David Soria; Coke, Rami, Kolodziejczak, Escudero; N'Zonzi, Krychowiak, Vitolo, Iborra, Krohn-Dehli; Gameiro.
Out: Banega (suspended), Trémoulinas (hamstring)
Doubtful: none
Misses next match if booked: none
Athletic: Herrerín; De Marcos, Etxeita, Bóveda, Balenziaga; San José, Beñat, Muniain, Raúl García, Susaeta; Aduriz.
Out: Laporte (leg), Sabin Merino (hamstring), Williams (hamstring)
Doubtful: none
Misses next match if booked: Balenziaga, De Marcos, Laporte
Unai Emery, Sevilla coach
We have the chance to experience a great moment in front of our fans. The result from the first leg gives us an advantage but we are prepared to face some difficulties and will seek to continue what we did in the first leg.
When you have players out, you have to find ways to counter those difficulties. We'll use the resources we have, which are plentiful, and the absences we have can't be an excuse.
Ernesto Valverde, Athletic coach
It's a tough challenge but we're up for it. Going to the ground of the holders is not easy. I wasn't unhappy with how we played in the first leg. We tried to attack them and score, but when they equalised we drifted out of the game.
We have to correct the fact that in the last few games we've struggled to generate chances, but we should play in a similar way to how we did in the first leg. Sevilla know the tie is not over. If I was in their shoes, I'd think the same.
Weekend results
Valencia 2-1 Sevilla (Parejo 41, Negredo 90+1; Gameiro 86)
Athletic 1-0 Rayo Vallecano (Williams 61)
Form guide (all competitions, most recent first)
Sevilla: LWLLWW
Athletic: WLDLLW
Reporter's view: Nick Aitken (@UEFAcomNickA)
"Only the Europa League exists," read a headline in Monday's Marca after Sevilla's weekend defeat – their third successive Liga loss. Now 12 points behind fourth-placed Villarreal, Emery's men are betting everything on seeing off Athletic and staying on course for a third UEFA Europa League crown in a row. "We're certain the Sánchez Pizjuán will be packed ... and that we'll be up to the task," said captain Coke.
Did you know?
Sevilla have won their last three European home games without conceding; they are also on a run of 11 straight home victories in the UEFA Europa League (the last three by 3-0 margins). Read more in our match background.