New boys Betis mean business

Targeting next stage
"Historic" was how coach Llorenc Serra Ferrer described their opening Group G fixture against Liverpool FC, adding it was "an honour for Betis to play their first game in this competition against the European champions". However, in a city known for its sense of fun, Ferrer warned that Betis mean business. "We are thinking about taking part in a fiesta but taking part properly, which means playing to win," he said. "The challenge is to show Europe that we are ready to give a good account of ourselves. Our pride is important but ultimately victories are the only thing that matter and we have to aim to reach the next stage."

Captain's aim
Victory over Liverpool would mark the perfect start. Betis's biggest continental scalp came when they defeated AC Milan in the 1977/78 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup but Serra Ferrer aims to add to that collection. "If you start by beating a big team - and Liverpool were the best team last year - then you can go on and beat other teams too." Betis captain Juanito Gutiérrez went further, suggesting that three points could provide an early advantage in a likely three-way fight for second place. Classing Chelsea FC as favourites to win Group G, he said: "Second place looks like being between Liverpool, ourselves and [RSC] Anderlecht so tomorrow's match is really important."

Joaquín doubt
The Spanish Cup holders will be missing two key players from their left flank in Luis Fernández (thigh) and Edu (knee), both casualties of the 1-0 weekend win against CA Osasuna. Óscar López should fill in at left-back, with Xisco Muñoz replacing Edu further forward. Although winger Joaquín Sánchez is expected to shrug off a meniscus problem to play, another midfielder, Alberto Rivera, is suspended and Serra Ferrer must decide whether to go with an attacking 4-2-3-1 formation or sacrifice Fernando Varela and field Arzu as a third deep-lying midfielder alongside Marcos Assunção and Miguel Ángel Lozano.

Crouch to start
With Fernando Morientes injured, meanwhile, Liverpool manager Rafael Benítez will look to Peter Crouch to lead their attack. In the city of the emblematic Giralda minaret, Benítez is hoping his towering front man will catch the eye. "He's a target man who can keep the ball, play well, head the ball and give the team time to go forward," he said of Crouch, who made his first league start in Saturday's 0-0 draw at Tottenham Hotspur FC.

First real test
Despite his side having scored just once in three English Premiership outings, Benítez sounded happy with his striking options. "We have Crouch, [Djibril] Cissé, [Florent] Sinama-Pongolle, Luis García who can play as a second striker. We did a good job against Tottenham, the only thing we need is to score goals." Indeed Benitez believes he has "a better squad and a better team than last year" but after sailing through three qualifying rounds, this marks the defending champions' first real test. It will be hot on the pitch (some 25 degrees) and hot in the stands too. "We know how difficult it will be because we know the atmosphere in the stadium," said Benítez.

Intensity
Serra Ferrer certainly hopes so. Some bars in Seville tripled their beer supplies ahead of the Liverpool fans' arrival but Serra Ferrer's order is a spirit - "the green and white spirit" of the 'Béticos'. "I want them to drive the team on with the intensity they can create and this will help us a lot."