Sevilla have chance to make early progress

Published on Tuesday 3 November 2009 21:50

SEVILLA have the chance to secure their spot in the knockout stages of the Champions League tonight when they welcome Stuttgart to the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium.

The Spanish side still boast a 100 per cent record at the midway point of the group stages, and they will guarantee themselves a place in the last 16 with a victory over the Germans.

Such is Sevilla's position of strength at the top of Group G – they are five points clear of second-placed Unirea Urziceni and seven ahead of Stuttgart in third – that even a draw tonight could be enough to send Manolo Jimenez's side through depending on the result in Bucharest between Unirea and Rangers.

However, midfielder Renato Dirnei insists they only thing they are interested is in winning, saying: "The team is aware that the sooner we can qualify, the better, because then we can focus more on the league. (But) independent of getting through or not, Sevilla are always going to go for the victory."

Sevilla have not only enjoyed a flying start to the Champions League, but they are also in a superb position domestically, lying third in La Liga, four points behind leaders Barcelona.

With that form in mind, Renato was asked about the possibility of his side being able to win the Champions League this season. The Brazil international replied: "We know that the Champions League is very difficult. We are doing well in the group, but the knockout games are very difficult. Although in a two-match tie we can cause a surprise. Why not dream?"

Sevilla coach Jimenez has a number of fitness doubts for the game, so he will delay naming his squad until the day of the game.

Stuttgart travel to Spain brimming with confidence after a goalless draw with Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga at the weekend. Although a draw in a home game would not usually be celebrated in such a manner, the 0-0 against Bayern was different as it ended a series of five straight defeats and released some of the pressure on coach Markus Babbel.

"The game against Bayern Munich has given us a boost," Babbel said. "If we play like that against Sevilla and latch on to the performance in the first game with them a few weeks ago, then we certainly have the class to bring a successful result from Spain to Stuttgart with us."