- Sevilla host Manchester United in the first leg of their last 16 tie on Wednesday
- Nemanja Matic believes the Spanish side will be hard to beat at their ground
- Midfielder has told his team-mates to look out for their ex-Premier League stars
Sevilla trained in Spain as Nemanja Matic warned his Manchester United team-mates to be wary of their Champions League opponents.
Matic believes Vincenzo Montella’s side will prove to be a difficult test despite his team going into the last 16 tie as favourites.
The Serbia international has highlighted Sevilla’s former Premier League stars such as Jesus Navas, Steven N’Zonzi and Roque Mesa as players to keep a watchful eye on.
Swansea midfielder Roque Mesa, who is on loan at Sevilla, takes part in a running drill
Vincenzo Montella looks on as his players are put through their paces in Seville, Spain
Colombia international Luis Muriel trains as he prepares to face Manchester United
Matic, speaking to Manchester United’s official website ahead of the first competitive meeting between the two clubs, said: ‘They have a couple of players who have already played in the Premier League and for sure that is going to be better for them.
‘But we also have our qualities, which we will use.
‘It is important to get a good result away from home in the first leg and not to concede a goal. It is going to be hard but we will do our best to get a good result, which is to win. We know what to expect.’
Sevilla go into Wednesday night’s match fifth in La Liga but Matic insists his side will not be fooled by their underdog status.
Montella and his coaching staff talk tactics with Sevilla’s players as they prepare to host United
Simon Kjaer could be the man tasked with trying to stop Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez
Former Blackburn and Stoke midfielder Steven N’Zonzi will be hoping to make an impact
Former Man City winger Jesus Navas (right) will be hoping to defeat his former side’s rivals
Nolito — another former Manchester City player — will also be out to beat the Red Devils
He added: ‘They are a very good team and especially at home, where they have great supporters who cheer them on for 90 minutes.
‘We expect they are going to be aggressive from the start. But we know what our jobs are, we know what our qualities are and we are going to be ready.
‘We are very happy to be playing in the Champions League again. Sevilla are a great team and this is a great opportunity for us to compare with them, and everyone is very happy that we have a chance to play against them. We respect them a lot, we know they are a very good team and I sure on Wednesday it is going to be a good game for the supporters.’
Manchester United will fly out to Spain at 3pm (UK time) and Jose Mourinho will address the media at 6:30pm.
Nemanja Matic (far right) is expecting a difficult night at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium
