Sevilla vs Bayern Munich. UEFA Champions League Quarter Final.
Ramon Sanchez PizjuanAttendance40,635.
Tuesday 3 April 2018 19:00, UK
Sevilla and Bayern Munich will meet for the first time in European competition as they play the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday.
The Germans are on the cusp on yet another Bundesliga title after their 6-0 demolition of Borussia Dortmund on Saturday, but their recent record in Spain is poor, having lost on all five of their last trips to the country and having been eliminated by a Spanish club in the competition in each of the last four seasons.
"We need to score goals, especially away against them," said Bayern winger Arjen Robben. "It will be a fierce game. They are very strong at home and with their fans it will be a sizzling atmosphere. We need to be at the top of our game."
Sevilla are undefeated in their 11 home games against German clubs, but will be making their first appearance in the Champions League quarter-finals and manager Vincenzo Montella is hoping the experience will only improve his squad.
"When you're in this kind of competition, opponents demand a lot of your mental and physical energy," he told a pre-match press conference.
"We paid for it in La Liga but I like this situation and I think we're used to playing every three days against top opponents. It helps us reach a better level so we can take advantage of the talent of the team.
"Bayern are accustomed to scoring a lot of goals, to having the ball. We have to do the same so we make them do things they're not used to."
Bayern have included Arturo Vidal and Juan Bernat in their squad after the pair passed late fitness tests.
Coach Jupp Heynckes will have the luxury of an almost full squad to chose from, apart from Manuel Neuer (foot) and Kingsley Coman, who has been out with an ankle problem since late February.
Ever Banega is suspended for Sevilla and will not feature, while Montella has questions marks over the fitness of Gabriel Mercado and Jesus Navas.
Bayern Munich have been eliminated by a Spanish club in each of the last four Champions League seasons: 2016-17 to Real Madrid (QF), 2015-16 to Atlético Madrid (SF), 2014-15 to Barcelona (SF) and 2013-14 to Real Madrid (SF).
Bayern Munich will be making their 17th appearance in a Champions League quarter-finals; the most in the history of the competition.
Of the eight clubs left in the Champions League this season, Sevilla have the worst shot conversion rate in front of goal (10.1 per cent), whilst allowing their opponents to convert the highest proportion of shots (12.7 per cent).
Robert Lewandowski has scored 22 goals in 28 Champions League appearances since the start of 2015-16, only Lionel Messi (23) and Cristiano Ronaldo (40) have scored more in the competition in this period.
Of the 43 players to have attempted at least 15 shots in the Champions League this season, Wissam Ben Yedder has the best shot conversion rate (36.4 per cent).
Juup Heynckes has won his last 11 Champions League games as manager, the longest ever run in the history of the competition.
When I watched Manchester United v Sevilla I was surprised how bad Jose Mourinho's side were but I perhaps underestimated Sevilla as well.
They are like a bag of Revels, they could have won about 8-6 against Barcelona at the weekend, and there can't be many teams more difficult to predict.
There is a great atmosphere in Seville but I think they'll let Bayern dominate the ball and look to counter-attack, which could prove another masterstroke or see them totally dominated and struggle to get out of their own half.
Charlie predicts: 2-2 and Lewandowski to score first (40/1 with Sky Bet)
