Sevilla vs Malaga Preview: Fazio has Euro vision

Posted Sunday, February 06, 2011 by PA

Sevilla defender Federico Fazio believes a place in next season's Champions League is still a realistic aim for his side.

Club president Jose Maria del Nido claimed at the beginning of the season that qualifying for Europe's premier club competition was his side's main goal for the campaign, and having exited the Copa del Rey at the semi-final stage - following a 2-0 defeat at Real Madrid - earlier this week, the Andalusian club will now concentrate solely on the Primera Division.

However, Sevilla's league form has been inconsistent this term and Gregorio Manzano's side are currently in eighth, 11 points behind fourth-placed Valencia.

But with 17 games still left, Fazio says anything is possible.

"We know that the Champions League is far away, but there are still 17 finals left and we have to give everything to achieve our objective," he said.

"It's far away, but nothing is impossible."

Sevilla host Malaga in an Andalusian derby and Fazio believes three points from that match will be vital.

"We can't let the teams above us get further away, so we have to win against Malaga," he said.

Malaga are in a very different position, fighting for Primera Division survival at the bottom of the table.

"You can never be relaxed when you're down at the bottom, but we are confident that with hard work, we will get out of this situation," Malaga coach Manuel Pellegrini said.

Malaga pair Ruben and Jesus Gamez are sidelined, but Martin Demichelis and Helder Rosario have been passed fit.

Renato looks set to miss out for Sevilla, while Mouhamadou Dabo and Sergio Sanchez are both suspended.