Julen Lopetegui believes his Sevilla side will face ‘the most complete team’ in the UEFA Europa League during next week’s clash at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, speaking to El Larguero.
Is there a more intriguing match-up in the competition’s round-of-16?
Barcelona vs Galatasaray feels like a nostalgia-steeped classic straight out of the early 2000s. Atalanta vs Bayer Leverkusen promises goals aplenty. But there’s just something so enthralling about the prospect of this disciplined, dogged West Ham side going head-to-head with a team who have almost become synonymous with Europe’s second-tier club competition.
As far as ties go, this is one right in the Goldilocks zone. Daunting yet winnable. Two sides almost perfectly matched in terms of tactics and quality.
Both West Ham and Sevilla have hard-working, physical number nines capable of running the channels and bulling centre-halves into submission.
Dynamic central midfielders renowned for making a difference at both ends of the pitch.
Aggressive, commanding central defenders. Attack-minded full-backs. And dainty, skilful wingers threatening to produce something out of the ordinary. The similarities extend to the dugout too.
Will West Ham knock out Sevilla?
Lopetegui, like opposite number David Moyes, prefers a pragmatic, results-driven style of play revolving around efficiency rather than aesthetics.
Sevilla might not be the most thrilling side in La Liga. But, second in the table and just six points adrift of Real Madrid, few will complaining if Lopetegui leads the Andalusians to their first domestic title since 1957 and a second Europa League trophy in the space of two years.
“We have the dream of the Europa League,” says the former Spain, Real Madrid and Porto coach.
“We got West Ham, which is the most complete team in the draw.”
Lopetegui is not the only one to champion West Ham’s Europa prospects this week. Atalanta CEO Umberto Marino believes Moyes’ high-flying Hammers, along with Bayer Leverkusen, are the ‘strongest’ side left in the competition.
Less than two years ago, West Ham were striving for survival in the Premier League. Now, they’re being called one of the favourites to win a European trophy Barcelona, Atalanta, Sevilla and Bayer Leverkusen are also fighting for.
It’s at moments like this the remarkable job Moyes has done at the London Stadium really hits home.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
