Sevilla want the moment to last
Thursday, December 1, 2005
Article summary
Sevilla FC welcome UEFA Cup Group H rivals Vitória SC across the border from Portugal as one of the Spanish First Division's form sides.
Article body
Relaxed mood
Sunday's 2-0 victory at Real Zaragoza moved the Andalusian team into fourth place in the Primera División and was notable for Javier Saviola's first goal in Sevilla colours. Coach Juande Ramos took advantage of his team's good moment to take the squad to a local spa to relax ahead of Thursday's Matchday 4 encounter.
'We want the Champions League'
Saviola, meanwhile, insists Sevilla, who lie third in Group H, two points above visitors Guimarães, are not just on course for the UEFA Cup Round of 32 – but even the UEFA Champions League. "I'm very happy here and want to stay," said the player who is on a season's loan from FC Barcelona. "We're a strong team and want to be in next season's UEFA Champions League."
Relegation danger
The mood may be rather less laid-back in the Guimarães camp, especially after Sunday's 2-0 defeat at Sporting Clube de Portugal left Jaime Pacheco's men in the Liga's bottom three.
Selection headache
The coach has a question mark against the fitness of midfielder Flávio who has a right-foot injury, but defenders Medeiros and Cléber are available after European and domestic suspensions respectively. However, the negatives outweigh the positives with goalkeeper Nilson and striker Clayton still lacking the necessary fitness after injury, and Pedro Geromel and Pintassilgo both being omitted.