Qualification on Sevilla's mind

Posted Wednesday, November 04, 2009 by PA

Sevilla have the chance to secure their spot in the knockout stages of the Champions League on Wednesday night when they welcome Stuttgart to the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium.

The Spanish side are one of only four clubs still boasting a 100% record at the midway point of the group stages, along with Manchester United, Chelsea and Lyon, 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 could be enough to send Manolo Jimenez's side through depending on the result in Bucharest between Romanians 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 the Primera Division table, four points behind leaders Barcelona, and having won the opening leg of their Copa del Rey last-32 tie against Atletico Ciudad 4-2.

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 on the club's official website.

"We defended well, didn't allow them many chances and created a few good chances for ourselves.

"If we play like that against Sevilla and latch onto 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."

Unlike at the weekend, Babbel will not be fearing any consequences in the event of a defeat against the runaway group leaders.

"Let's not forget that this opponent is one of the best teams in Europe," said director of sport Horst Heldt to the Stuttgarter Zeitung newspaper.

It is also worth remembering that Babbel has taken a depleted squad to Spain with him.

Ricardo Osorio and Christian Trasch have both been left behind after picking up injuries against Bayern and they join Ciprian Marica, Cacau, Martin Lanig and Sami Khedira in the treatment room.

Babbel will therefore have to improvise with his team selection in the search for his side's first win in the competition this season to keep alive their hopes of reaching the next round.