
02-05-2007, 08:14
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Born in York
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Re: UEFA CUP 3rd May
Preview..and look who's the REFEREE
Sevilla mettle to be tested by Osasuna
Sevilla's faith in their fringe players will be tested again with the UEFA Cup holders needing a victory over Osasuna on Thursday to reach back-to-back finals.
Juande Ramos's side, who trail 1-0 from the first leg in Pamplona, continue to confound the critics who said they would be unable to maintain a challenge on three fronts, as they also battle for domestic silverware in league and cup.
"We have a lot of confidence in the squad players who don't play that often. Also we have to try and preserve some of the players who are carrying knocks. There are still plenty of games and everyone will get minutes," said Ramos.
"For Thursday, we aren't thinking about the final yet. We have to get past a difficult rival who proved how good they were in the first leg."
Off the field, Sevilla have spent their time rallying the fans to come and get behind the team to create a feverish atmosphere similar to the one the side encountered in Pamplona.
"We are going to need the fans support. They will have to be patient because to win by two goals in Europe is not easy, but we are confident we have the squad to do it," said Sevilla sports director Ramon "Monchi" Rodriguez.
Ramos could move Brazilian fullback Daniel Alves up onto the right side of midfield in place of out-of-sorts Jesus Navas, with German Andreas Hinkel slipping in at right back.
BIG ATMOSPHERE
Osasuna, who started the season in the Champions League qualifiers, have been unflustered by their first European semi-final, and goalkeeper Ricardo has said they will not be put off by the potentially hostile reception awaiting the team in the Sanchez Pizjuan.
"Games are better when there is a big atmosphere. All footballers dream of playing these types of games," said Ricardo.
"We will go out and look for another goal and when it comes to defending we'll fight tooth and nail not to give anything away. On our day we can beat anyone."
They have proven themselves a difficult side to break down and have only lost once in seven away matches in the tournament.
But they fell 2-0 in the league when they last visited Seville back in November.
Osasuna will be without suspended striker Roberto Soldado who scored the only goal in the first leg.
Probable teams:
Sevilla: 1-Andres Palop; 3-David Castedo, 2-Javi Navarro, 14-Julien Escude, 24- Andreas Hinkel; 16-Antonio Puerta, 8-Christian Poulsen, 11-Renato, 4-Daniel Alves; 12-Frederic Kanoute, 9-Alexander Kerzhakov
Osasuna: 13-Ricardo; 19-Enrique Corrales, 7-Cesar Cruchaga, 5-Carlos Cuellar, 2-Jose Izquierdo; 16-David Lopez, 10-Patxi Punal, 24-Javad Nekounam, 6-Raul Garcia or 9-Savo Milosevic, 12-Juanfran; 15-Pierre Webo
Referee: Graham Poll (England)
www.football.guardian.co.uk
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