Sevilla will be looking to take advantage in front of their own fans, as they host Italian side Fiorentina in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League Semi Final tie.
Famously winning the trophy last season, Sevilla have had a tough route to the semi final this time around. Narrowly beating Borussia Monchengladbach in the last 32, they dispatched of fellow countrymen Villarreal in the last 16 before dramatically scraping through againt Zenit in the quarter finals, progressing through 4-3 on aggregate.
Fiorentina have had a slightly more comfortable passage to this stage, but have still faced some tough opponents. They did well to defeat Tottenham Hotspur in the last 32, before shockingly beating fellow Serie A side Roma 4-1 on aggregate in the last 16. In the round previous to this, they defeated Dynamo Kiev 3-1 over two legs.
Sevіlla could be without Portuguese goalkeeper Beto, who has a shoulder іnjury whіlst Gregory Krychowіak wіll wear a protectіve mask after sufferіng a nose fracture in the 3-2 loss to Real Madrid last weekend. Defender Nico Pareja will also be out, after undergoing knee surgery this week.
Chelsea loanee Mohamed Salah should be fit to start for Fiorentina despite being taken off early on in the weekend's game against Cesena, and he could partner ex Bayern Munich striker Mario Gomez up front for the Italians. Spanish winger Joaquin should start the game, and he will be very motivated having played for Sevilla under Unai Emery.
Both sides have reason to be confident going into the fixture. Vincenzo Montella's Fiorentina side are unbeaten in their last 12 European away games, whilst Sevilla have won their last eight at home in Europe.
Sevilla defender Tmothee Klodziejczak had this to say ahead of the game: "It's a very important match for the people, for us, and we have to be able to get a victory. We have great enthusiasm. Fiorentina is a very difficult team and it will be a very hard match. Favourites? We are the two faviourites. All teams who reach the semi final have the same options.
"The fans in the last match against Real Madrid encouraged us very much. I think that we will need them on Thursday."
Fiorentina coach Montella commented ahead of the fixture, noting the benefit his team will recieve from their 3-1 win over Cesena on Sunday.
"This victory will boost morale and self-confidence," he told Mediaset Premium. "We wanted the win to get back fifth place and now our minds can go to Sevilla for Thursday's Europa League semi-final.
"I watched Sevilla play Real Madrid on Saturday and they are a very well-constructed team. We really wanted this success to get us in the best headspace for the semi-final.
"Sevilla are a tough side who defend with good organisation and know how to attack. We will play to win."