Adriano relishing Sevilla return

Barcelona midfielder Adriano is anticipating a capacity crowd when he visits former club Sevilla in La Liga action on Sunday.

The Brazilian called the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan home for five years between 2005 and 2010, but the midfielder is ready for high-pressure surroundings when the rampant league leaders travel to the eighth-placed Sevilla.

“There is going to be a great atmosphere, because games like this usually fill the stadium. It is always a special game when I return to the Sanchez Pizjuan,” the 26-year-old said.

“It is very exciting, the people have received me very well and the stadium is always going to be special to me.”

Adriano said he was used to Barcelona being the hunted club in Spain as they lead the league by seven points, but he said their Sunday opponents would also be pushing for the Champions League save for some crucial injuries.

“Every team is motivated to beat Barcelona. Every time that Barcelona visit, the stadium is full as they try to help the team. There will be a great atmosphere,” he said.

“They are a team who are always up there. They have pressure on them to be in the top four, and I think that Sevilla have had many injuries to important players. That is why it has been hard to keep up their form.”

Pep Guardiola’s men have already got one hand on the league trophy, but Adriano was all too aware of the amount of points up for grabs and the possibility Barca could slip up in the final 11 games.

“It is a difficult away game (at Sevilla) – one of the most difficult. There are still many points in play. Thirty-three points are a lot, and even if we are seven points clear of Madrid there is still a long way to go,” he said.