Sevilla faces the Europa League with the optimism that comes from knowing that they are the king of the European competition, which they have won up to six times. After a difficult season, and eliminated from the Champions League in the group stage, the Andalusian team will measure their improvement since Sampaoli took over from Julen Lopetegui on the Sevilla bench. Four consecutive wins in the League in 2023 are the hope of a Sánchez Pijzuán who tonight (9:00 p.m.) will wear his best clothes for the return to the Europa League with the first leg of the play-off that gives access to the round of 16.
They will face the PSV of an old acquaintance, Luuk de Jong, protagonist of the last European title that the people of Seville won in 2020. "All the fantastic moments we lived come back in this game. We won the 'Europa League', but I still have the thorn of not celebrate it with our people. There are people who shout your name on the street, they want to take photos with me. We did something very nice", said De Jong.
The 32-year-old striker highlighted his former team that "they are beginning to play well, it will be a tense game" and that PSV are "prepared" for the appointment. Questioned about the loss of potential in the Sevilla defense in relation to his time, he pointed out that "they are a very strong team, despite the fact that Diego Carlos and Koundé are not there. Now they once again have a very strong defense after overcoming some injury problems. They are stronger than at the beginning of the season", so he is glad that "they are progressing and that they finish as high as possible in the League".
Ruud Van Nistelrooy, coach of PSV Eindhoven, also referred to Sevilla's improvement: "Sevilla is not in the table where it should be, but in recent games I see Sevilla from before. It's a very complicated game because of the atmosphere that exists in this stadium in the matches of this competition. I see them in shape, playing well and getting results at home. They are better than before the break -of the World Cup-", he related.
The former striker for Real Madrid or Málaga, among others, warned that Sevilla "are the kings of the Europa League" and predicted "a very intense game because they are two teams that want to have possession of the ball, so it can be give a very nice game".
Check here all the results of the Europa League
