Moyá no puede evitar el 1-1 en la ida de Copa Atlético-Sevilla FC
Pre-match reports

KEEP GROWING AGAINST AN OPPONENT DANGEROUS ON THE ROAD

23/01/2018
The return leg of the Copa del Rey quarter-finals against Diego Simeone's Atlético Madrid is the new challenge for the Nervionenses, who, after winning 1-2 in the Wanda Metropolitano, would reach the semi-finals for the 17th time in the 21st century with a positive result

Sevilla FC are back. They have the semi-finals at the tips of their fingers; though not yet in the bag. The Nervionenses have put themselves in a good position to qualify, but, as the popular expression goes - they cannot count their chickens before they've hatched. And that's only more true against Diego Simeone's Atlético Madrid, who will not go down without a fight and are more than capable of overturning the tie and leaving Montella's side in their wake. Notwithstanding, Sevilla seem a different team since their triumph in the Wanda and will fight to the death this Tuesday to ensure they do not stray from the path to improvement. When all was style and very little substance, few believed in a Sevillista resurgence. Since then, Sevilla have found the two magic words to recapture form: order and progress. Now an ordered team, set to take advantage of their own momentum, the Nervionenses can use the occasion to continue growing in confidence, in play, in solidity and in fight. 

Tonight's objectives: don't sit back on the 1-2 advantage, play on the same level as the opponent and continue along the same lines of progress

Today's Copa del Rey battle with Atlético, after a 1-2 Nervionense win six days ago, must be played with the same concentration and precision of the first-leg, though the home side will need to erase the advantage from their minds and start again from zero. Settling against a tough Atlético side will not do, espcially when Simeone's side has proved itself an expert in these affairs over the past years. The key objectives over the course of the 90 minutes: be just as competitive as the opponent and continue on the same lines of progression.

The statistics are only there as a reminder to Sevilla FC that the side has something of a history and reputation in knock-out competitions since the start of the 21st century. Leaving European semi-finals to one side, the Nervionenses have already played seven semis this century. Alongside the two semi-finals that led to Copa del Rey wins in 2007 and 2010 (against Getafe and Atlético Madrid respectively) Sevilla stockpile five more which saw the side lose four times (against Real Madrid in 2004 and 2011, against Athletic Club Bilbao in 2009 and Atlético Madrid in 2013) and reach the final once more only to fall at the final hurdle (beating RC Celta in 2016's semi).  

The coming together of the team and the fans has proved itself vital in overcoming adversity

Sevilla's chances of qualifying for the semi-finals will also ride on the coming together of the team and the fans which has carried the side to so much success in its history. This, paired with the fact that Sevilla have won important matches against today's opponents at the Calderón (though the trend is not yet prevalent at the Wanda); that they will be able to rely on one of the jewels in their crown: the magic of Nervión - something that has proven itself vital in this type of clash; and that Sevilla are more than capable of fighting against adversity and showing strength and courage; means that Atlético will also have a lot against them in the epic to come. 

Sevilla's 13 goals bagged in the cup so far have predominantly been scored by Correa (4) and Ben Yedder (3), whilst Ganso, Sarabia, Navas, Muriel and Nolito have all scored one goal respectively. The 12 goals scored by the opponent have been shared out: Torres has bagged 3 and Diego Costa 2; the last one causing injury; and the 7 others were scored by 7 other players. The Cup is all about goals, but this Tuesday requires control and security in the back.

This next battle marks history in the making for the Nervión side. But the team needs to fight right until the final whistle against an opponent that is, without doubt, much more dangerous away from home. This is the thousandth time in Nervión where we dare to dream again.