Sevilla vs Basel - Sevilla boss Unai Emery taking nothing for granted against Basle

Posted Thursday, March 17, 2016 by PA

Sevilla boss Unai Emery admits his side are favourites to progress from their Europa League round of 16 tie against Basle but feels last week's first leg showed the Swiss outfit are tricky opponents.

After the initial meeting ended in a goalless draw at St Jakob-Park, the Spanish side look well-placed to secure qualification for the quarter-finals in leg two on Thursday at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, where they have won their last 16 games in all competitions.

Emery, though, is taking nothing for granted, stressing Basle "have qualities to beat" his men.

"They are a team that competes very well and knows how to choose the competitive models needed at all times," said Emery, quoted on Sevilla's official website.

"There (in the first leg) they chose to be strong defensively and from the first minute told us the tie would be long. They wanted to win but above all worked on making sure we did not score a goal.

"They know we are starting as favourites, but they have qualities to beat us and they showed that in the first leg.

"We are well aware of the difficulty of the game, and we need the fans.

"Nil-nil was a good result. If tomorrow at home we are able to prove that with our qualities we can overcome this tie."

Basle know if they can make it all the way to the final this year, they will have the bonus of playing the game at their own stadium.

But Emery has stressed that his team - going for a third consecutive Europa League title - have just as much desire to do well in this season's competition.

"Our hope and our will in this competition is very high," Emery said.

"We are facing a team whose stadium the final is at, who are leading the Swiss league, and the Europa League is a tremendous enthusiasm for them.

"But that is something we also have."