Derby winners, Borussia Mönchengladbach, want to defeat the defending champions and they’re already dreaming about Warsaw. “Sevilla FC are our last hurdle before the final!” said defender Alvaro Dominguez ahead of the first leg of their last 32 tie in the Europa League on Thursday (21:05 CET), which will be played in Spain. The team passed up the opportunity to go to the carnival procession on Shrove Tuesday and trained instead.
The path to the final, which would be Gladbach’s first European final since 1980 (UEFA Cup against Eintracht Frankfurt) seems to be far away and beating Sevilla would be a huge step towards reaching the final in Warsaw on 27th May. “They’re the best team left in the tournament for me,” said Dominguez, who played in the Priméra División for five years with Sevilla’s rivals Atlético Madrid. “If we can beat them then we don’t need to fear any of the other teams, not even Inter Milan!” The long-term aim is reaching the final.
Favre’s players go into the game with confidence
Lucien Favre did not wish to make the same claims as Dominguez did in der Bild. Borussia’s manager knows how tough the games will be and that there are still some prestigious teams left in the tournament, such as Liverpool and SSC Napoli.
But Favre’s players are confident and naturally want to play in the Champions League next season. “We want to look ahead as we have goals and dreams,” said goalkeeper Yann Sommer, who has already played in the Champions League with FC Basel. But first they travel to Sevilla for a huge game.
The three time winners of the competition (2006 and 2007 in the UEFA Cup, 2014 the Europa League) are the best team left in the competition. Borussia will show them respect but aren’t scared. Granit Xhaka, who scored the winner in the 1-0 derby win against Köln with his head, showed the confidence of the team who currently sit third in the Bundesliga: “We want to beat Sevilla.”
Sevilla still unbeaten at home this season
That could be quite tough. The Spanish side haven’t lost any of their twelve home games in the league so far this season. They currently occupy fifth in the Priméra División and are the only side in the league not to have lost at home. They have also won their last five games in the Europa League at the Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán.
The personnel situation for both sides is positive. Favre has all of his squad available, including the now fully fit André Hahn (Achilles) and Martin Stranzl (head injury and stomach bug). Mr. Europa League is also ready: Branimir Hrgota has scored eight goals in the Europa League so far this season (including the play-off against FK Sarajevo). Sevilla will be without a few players, including goalkeeper Beto, who has a shoulder injury.
Derby winners, Borussia Mönchengladbach, want to defeat the defending champions and they’re already dreaming about Warsaw. “Sevilla FC are our last hurdle before the final!” said defender Alvaro Dominguez ahead of the first leg of their last 32 tie in the Europa League on Thursday (21:05 CET), which will be played in Spain. The team passed up the opportunity to go to the carnival procession on Shrove Tuesday and trained instead.
The path to the final, which would be Gladbach’s first European final since 1980 (UEFA Cup against Eintracht Frankfurt) seems to be far away and beating Sevilla would be a huge step towards reaching the final in Warsaw on 27th May. “They’re the best team left in the tournament for me,” said Dominguez, who played in the Priméra División for five years with Sevilla’s rivals Atlético Madrid. “If we can beat them then we don’t need to fear any of the other teams, not even Inter Milan!” The long-term aim is reaching the final.
Favre’s players go into the game with confidence
Lucien Favre did not wish to make the same claims as Dominguez did in der Bild. Borussia’s manager knows how tough the games will be and that there are still some prestigious teams left in the tournament, such as Liverpool and SSC Napoli.
But Favre’s players are confident and naturally want to play in the Champions League next season. “We want to look ahead as we have goals and dreams,” said goalkeeper Yann Sommer, who has already played in the Champions League with FC Basel. But first they travel to Sevilla for a huge game.
The three time winners of the competition (2006 and 2007 in the UEFA Cup, 2014 the Europa League) are the best team left in the competition. Borussia will show them respect but aren’t scared. Granit Xhaka, who scored the winner in the 1-0 derby win against Köln with his head, showed the confidence of the team who currently sit third in the Bundesliga: “We want to beat Sevilla.”
Sevilla still unbeaten at home this season
That could be quite tough. The Spanish side haven’t lost any of their twelve home games in the league so far this season. They currently occupy fifth in the Priméra División and are the only side in the league not to have lost at home. They have also won their last five games in the Europa League at the Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán.
The personnel situation for both sides is positive. Favre has all of his squad available, including the now fully fit André Hahn (Achilles) and Martin Stranzl (head injury and stomach bug). Mr. Europa League is also ready: Branimir Hrgota has scored eight goals in the Europa League so far this season (including the play-off against FK Sarajevo). Sevilla will be without a few players, including goalkeeper Beto, who has a shoulder injury.
