Vincenzo Montella believes Sevilla will have to ‘kill’ Alexis Sanchez to stop Manchester United’s danger man when the two clubs clash in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
Sanchez will make his European debut for United after moving to Old Trafford last month, and Sevilla are well aware of his threat having lost all five games against Barcelona when he played in Spain.
Montella admitted that his players will do all they can to nullify that threat as they try to reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the first time in the club’s history.
Sevilla manager Vincenzo Montella was full of praise for Manchester United’s Alexis Sanchez
The Sevilla coach, who knows Sanchez from his spell with Udinese, said: ‘I remember him really well from his time in Italy.
‘He has improved a lot during his career and I think he can be a real threat. Maybe we can kill him or knock him down or something!’
Montella also admitted that he hopes Paul Pogba is ruled out of the tie after he missed United’s win over Huddersfield at the weekend through illness.
The former Juventus midfielder has trained since, and is expected to return to action on Wednesday night.
Sanchez trains ahead of Wednesday evening’s Champions League last-16 first leg clash
Montella said he hoped Paul Pogba would be unavailable for the Champions League game
‘He is an incredible player, a complete player,’ added Montella. ‘In Italy he had really great success and he’s really important. He has great tactical qualities and can also score with his head. I hope tomorrow he will not be able to play.’
Montella took over as Sevilla coach in December following the sacking of Eduardo Berizzo, and is taking charge of only his second Champions League tie. That contrasts to Jose Mourinho who is preparing for his 134th game in the competition.
‘Mourinho was a pioneer when it comes to tactics in football,’ he said. ‘I have read many books on him. I don’t know how many matches he has played in this competition but probably more than a hundred. But we will be ready and willing to play this fantastic match.
Montella hailed Man United manager Jose Mourinho as a ‘pioneer’ ahead of the game
‘I am really excited about it. We have to be ready physically and mentally.’
Sevilla may have won the Europa League five times since 2006, but they have never progressed beyond the last 16 of the Champions League.
They went out to Leicester at this stage last season, and defender Sergio Escudero insists they have learned from that disappointment.
‘I think we will have to learn from the mistakes we made in other matches,’ said Escudero. ‘I know the opponent we are facing tomorrow is a really physical team and we will must not repeat the same mistakes as the past.
Montella will take charge of just his second Champions League tie after joining in December
Sevilla have never reached a Champions League quarter-final in the history of their club
‘We have perfect opportunity to make history in this club and this is what we want. We want to win and want to keep on growing, we want to pass this round of 16 of course. We are willing to play with all our hearts tomorrow.
‘Maybe Manchester being the favourite and us being the underdog will be an extra motivation for us.
‘This is really important match for us. United have really good quality players and we have to be ready for everything. But we also have our weapons. They will have to be really careful with us.’