Sevilla vs Real Sociedad preview - Montanier focused on Sociedad

Posted Friday, May 17, 2013 by PA

Real Sociedad coach Philippe Montanier will put aside rumours of his own future to concentrate on steering his side into next season's Champions League.

Montanier's men travel to Sevilla looking to cling onto fourth place in the Primera Division despite stumbling to just one win in their last four games which has allowed fifth-placed Valencia to draw level on points.

The Basque club's focus has also not been helped by reports in the French media that Montanier is set to leave the club at the end of the season to link up with Ligue 1 outfit Rennes.

But Montanier said: "Our focus is only on winning in Seville and hopefully going on to make this an historic season for the club.

"We have three major finals to come and the season is very exciting. We expect a big drive towards the end of the season and although Sevilla will be tough, we have huge confidence in the potential of this team."

Sevilla coach Unai Emery admitted he is still clinging on to the slim hope of securing European competition next season despite last week's goalless draw at Malaga effectively ending their chances.

Sevilla head into the weekend in eighth place, seven points behind sixth-placed Malaga and still five behind Real Betis in a conceivable Europa League qualifying position of seventh.

Emery said: "The most important thing to do is to do our duty and remain optimstic.

"We have to focus on giving everything because although our chance is slight, it could be the game that takes us into Europe. We must give it a final push and see what happens."