Sevilla eye Europa salvation

Sevilla striker Luis Fabiano says winning the Europa League would help salvage the club’s season.

The Andalusian club have not enjoyed a successful season and lie eighth in La Liga, a whopping 31 points behind table-toppers Barcelona.

More concerning for manager Gregorio Manzano is that Sevilla – who finished fourth last campaign – are 14 points away from a Champions League spot.

But the season can be saved according to Brazil striker Fabiano, if Sevilla can succeed in Europe.

“Sevilla aren’t having the season that we all expected, and it is difficult,” Luis Fabiano said.

“But people need to overcome the pressure, and realise that the only thing left is the Europa League.”

“We have to give everything in the Europa League. We’ve won it twice and it is a good competition, and Porto will be a tough opponent. We have to stick together, because winning the Europa League would salvage our season.”

Sevilla host Porto on Thursday in the first leg of their round of 32 tie and Manzano is grateful his side are at home first.

“It is better to play the first leg here in Sevilla. I think that it may help us to get a good result, and demand that Porto have to make a big effort in the second leg,” Manzano said.

The Sevilla boss is also wary of the threat Porto pose, with Andre Villas-Boas’ side sitting 11 points clear at the top of Liga Sagres after a hugely successful campaign so far.

“I’m sure that everyone is backing Porto. We are talking about one of the best teams that we could have drawn,” he said.

“But I also think that they will see us as an opponent who, despite not being in the best of form in the league, are capable of being competitive. When we have found that spark, especially at home in front of our fans, then games like tomorrow’s are in our favour.”

“We want to take a good result to Porto.”