The UEFA Champions League group stage has return and the first clash in Group D sees Sevilla host Borussia Mönchengladbach. Both teams already clashed seven months ago in the UEFA Europa League round of 32, and the Spaniards won the first leg thanks to a goal from Vincente Iborra. Carlos Bacca knocked them out with a brace in the second clash, securing a 3-2 aggregate win.
Both teams in rotten form
Sevilla will not be happy with the start to their season in the Primera Divisón. After three matchdays the team is still without a win and is in 15th place. Their first outing ended in a scoreless draw against Malaga FC, and a heavy, surprising home loss to Atletico Madrid continued the poor run. They took on Levante next and still couldn't get the job done, drawing 1-1. Therefore, this has now become a must-win game.
Borussia Mönchengladbach have also endured a pretty poor start to their domestic campaign. After four matches, the club is on sitting bottom without a point and a terrible defensive record. Heavy defeats to Borussia Dortmund and Werder Bremen, as well as suffering a 2-1 loss to 1. FSV Mainz 05 have really thrown spanners in the works. It got worse when lowly Hamburger SV beat them three-nil, in what really showed that something is badly wrong.
Gladbach is back in highest league of Europa
After a 37-year long absence, Borussia Mönchengladbach are finally back in the upper echelons of European football, and were handed the group of death; certainly not what Lucien Favre would have wanted. With Juventus, Manchester City, Sevilla and themselves in Group D it will be very difficult for the Borussia-Park side to spring a surprise, and even finishing in third place will be a tough ask.
Sevilla want more than just the Europa League
Sevilla have won the Europa League twice in a row and qualified directly for the Champions League thanks to their title win from last season. The same problem that Gladbach have applies to Sevilla, and they may also have to view securing third as a success. Even if they did finish third, perhaps the Spaniards could claim the a European trophy for the third season in a row.
Expectation
Because of Gladbach's poor start to the season, the team will give everything for a win on the first Champions League matchday to boost the morale for upcoming match against bitter rivals, 1. FC Köln; a loss in both games will really heap the pressure on the side.
Sevilla stopper Beto is injured and will be out for four to six weeks and will be a big miss at the back. The visitors will be hoping to make the most of any chance to test likely stand-in custodian, Sergio Rico.