Villas-Boas: Sevilla worst possible draw for Zenit
Friday, March 20, 2015
Article summary
"It is probably the hardest draw we could get," admitted André Villas-Boas after FC Zenit were paired with holders Sevilla FC in the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals.
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There are three former winners left in the competition and two will meet in the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals after Sevilla FC and FC Zenit were pitted together. It is, rued Zenit coach André Villas-Boas, "probably the hardest draw we could get".
Facts and figures
• Sevilla (2006, 2007, 2014) and Zenit (2008) are two of three former UEFA Cup/UEFA Europa League winners left in the competition.
• Unai Emery led Sevilla to glory in Turin last May, but opposite number André Villas-Boas also has a win under his belt: with FC Porto in 2011.
• The sides met three times in 2005/06. Zenit triumphed 2-1 in Russia in the group stage though it was a different matter when they faced off in the last eight, a 4-1 home victory for Sevilla setting up a 5-2 aggregate triumph.
• The only other encounter came 12 months earlier, when Julio Baptista cancelled out Andrey Arshavin's strike to earn Sevilla a 1-1 draw in St Petersburg. Zenit bowed out after the group stage; the Spanish team advanced.
• The last time either club got to the quarter-finals they won the competition. Sevilla overcame FC Porto 4-2 at this point last term; Zenit ousted Bayer 04 Leverkusen by the same scoreline in 2008.
• This season's records: Sevilla – W7 D2 L1 F17 A9; Zenit – W3 D0 L1 F6 A1
Draw reaction
André Villas-Boas, Zenit coach
The defending champions is probably the hardest draw we could get. Sevilla have quality, experience and recent success in this tournament. All this makes our task even more difficult. However, we will play the second leg at home. We will need our fans' support and I am sure they will do their utmost to help us to get through. We are ready for these games. We have an aim and a dream, and will give our best to continue to fight for the trophy.
Óscar Arias, Sevilla technical secretary
At this stage the sides in the draw deserve to be there. Zenit are one of the strongest teams in the draw. It will be a very open, but difficult game. We know we have to travel a long way, and that's a handicap, but that's the way the draw has worked out and it cannot be an excuse. Zenit are a European outfit and have Spaniards like Javi García. José Rondón also played in the Liga. They are a powerful side with some very good players. André Villas-Boas has a squad full of quality.
