Sevilla were back in training on Monday morning as they both recovered from their weekend clash against Barcelona and put in final preparations ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League tie with Bayern Munich.
The Spanish club came within minutes of beating the La Liga leaders in a thrilling 2-2 draw on Saturday, but they have been forced to refocus and move on with their Champions League quarter-final fast approaching.
On-loan Everton striker Sandro Ramirez formed part of the squad that trained at the club’s Ciudad Deportiva training facility under the watchful eye of head coach Vincenzo Montella.
Sevilla’s Miguel Layun and Sandro during training ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League tie
Sevilla’s players take part in a training session at Ciudad Deportiva in Seville on April 2
Sevilla coach Vincenzo Montella jokes with his players as they prepare for Tuesday’s clash
It will be the only full session they enjoy together in between their La Liga stalemate and welcoming Bayern Munich to the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium, where they will attempt to cause another European upset.
The Bundesliga club, who were pictured travelling to Spain earlier on Monday, are heavy favourites to advance into the semi-finals, but Sevilla go into the game with plenty of belief after the last round.
Wissam Ben Yedder provided the goals as they knocked Manchester United out thanks to a 2-1 win at Old Trafford and their terrific display against the all-conquering Barcelona will only add to their confidence.
Sevilla’s Steven N’Zonzi attempts a flick with the back of his heel during the training session
Players compete for the ball as part of a passing drill in Sevilla’s training session on Monday
But, after Lionel Messi came off the bench to score a last-minute equaliser, Montella admitted his players were nervous ahead of their European clash and insisted they need to play better if they want to make it into the final four.
‘We have to improve,’ Montella told reporters. ‘When we can score, we have to score.
‘We had many chances to close the game. It’s a shame because Barcelona has formidable players, and we are a little nervous now. For Tuesday [against Bayern Munich in the Champions League], we will have more desire.
‘If we had finished earlier, it would have been better, but football is like that, we have to improve.
‘I’m angry on one side, but on the other I’m proud because the team has controlled the game against Barcelona.’
Sevilla goalkeepers Sergio Rico (R) and David Soria (L) test each other’s agility in training
A view of Sevilla’s final training session ahead of their first leg tie with Bayern Munich