'Real Sevilla' await Panathinaikos

Sevilla FC coach Joaquín Caparrós has promised that "the real Sevilla" will take on Panathinaikos FC on Thursday.

Mini-slump
After a 1-0 defeat in their Saturday Primera División game against Real Sociedad de Fútbol followed their 1-0 loss in Athens in the first leg of their UEFA Cup last 32 tie, the coach was confident that his side had overcome their mini-slump and would be back to their best against their Greek opponents.

'Good shape'
"My players are good shape both physically and mentally despite the fact that we looked a bit tired in our last league outing," he said. "But now we have had a rest, our fans are going to see the real Sevilla on Thursday. We are only going to get better and hope to finish strongly."

Better news
Left-back Adriano Correia is doubtful for the game with a hamstring strain, but the other news from the Sevilla doctors has been good. Javi Navarro has recovered from a broken nose, Jesuli is fit after a month laid up with an ankle injury while Renato Dirnei Florêncio has recovered from a stomach bug.

Flexible formation
Panathinaikos travelled to Andalucia not long after a 1-0 win at Egaleo FC lifted them to within two points of Alpha Ethniki leaders Olympiacos CFP. Coach Alberto Malesani has vowed to stick with the flexible 3-5-2/5-3-2 formation that served him well in Athens, but he has one worry in midfield.

Club record
Pantelis Konstantinidis, who was expected to replace Rudolf Skácel in midfield, has been declared doubtful due to a foot injury, and Srdjan Andric may now start in the centre of midfield alongside Angelos Basinas, who will equal Krzysztof Warzycha's 63 games in European competition for Panathinaikos in Spain.

Defensive dynamic
Left wing-back Markus Münch said: "It's only natural that we will play defensively, as with all teams that are defending a first-leg win away from home. But that doesn't mean we won't be looking to score. We will fight from the first minute and I think we have a good chance of qualifying."