Montella: "Sevilla are a complete team"

The Fiorentina team have arrived in Seville to complete their preparations for the away leg of their Europa League semi final. Coach Vincenzo Montella was full of praise for Sevilla, but has stated that any consideration of them as favourites will only serve in Fiorentina's favour.

Sevilla Coach Unai Emery has mentioned Mario Gomez, Mohammed Salah, Borja Valero and Marcos Alonso in particular as players he sees as potential threats to his team. The Andalusian side may be happy to concede some possession to Fiorentina as they are strong on the counter attack and from set pieces. You can read our scouting report to look at the opposition in some more depth.

There has already been much interest in the tie from footballing purists. Added to the fact that the rojiblancos have been strong at home in Europe this season, winning the last eight and the viola have been strong away - unbeaten in twelve, all the signs are that we should be in for a great game on Thursday.

It goes without saying that Montella will be looking to select his strongest possible squad, with an attacking front three of Gomez, Salah and Joaquin. Any away goals scored by Fiorentina could prove crucial in the second leg, so it won't be a surprise to see a positive performance from the team, although the away goal must not be chased at any costdue to Sevilla's counterattacking prowess.

Although an extremely tough tie, it is worth remembering the calibre of teams already beaten by Fiorentina in the Europa League this season. We need to believe it is one we can win and in the process of doing so, taking at least one away goal back to Florence could prove decisive.

Projected lineups:

Sevilla: (4-2-3-1) Rico; Coke, Carriço, Kolodziejczak, Trémoulinas; Banega, Krychowiak; Aleix Vidal, Iborra, Vitolo; Bacca.

FIORENTINA: (4-3-3-) NETO; TOMOVIC, SAVIC, GONZALO, ALONSO; BORJA, PIZARRO, MATI; JOAQUIN, SALAH, GOMEZ.