Monchengladbach vs Sevilla preview - Suarez hoping for European boost

Posted Wednesday, February 25, 2015 by PA

Sevilla midfielder Denis Suarez is hoping he and his team-mates can put their domestic woes behind them when they take on Borussia Monchengladbach in Germany on Thursday.

The defending Europa League champions have suffered a drop in form in the Primera Division this month, with Sunday's 4-3 defeat at Real Sociedad their third loss in their last four league games.b

The Spanish outfit have a 1-0 advantage going into the return leg at the Borussia Park, with Vicente Iborra's goal giving Sevilla the edge in the tie.

Sevilla have yet to get over the hangover from Sunday's defeat, with a late winner from Real Sociedad's Xabi Pietro.

"It was a painful loss," Suarez told the Spanish media. "To concede a last-gasp goal is hard to digest.

"But we have to put this defeat behind us and react immediately.

"We have an important game coming up and we need to be fully focused."

The three-time winners are fifth in La Liga, and are five points adrift of Valencia, who hold the last Champions League qualifying spot.

Sevilla, coached by Unai Emery, have not won away from home in Europe in their last seven games.

Their German opponents, meanwhile, are unbeaten at home in their last seven European games.

The Foals, who lifted the UEFA Cup twice in their history, are third in the Bundesliga.

A last-gasp equaliser from Branimir Hrgota earned Monchengladbach a 1-1 draw at relegation-threatened Hamburg on Sunday.

"It is hugely important for morale that we have come away with a point, for both the game on Thursday and the game next Sunday against Paderborn," Gladbach coach Lucien Favre said to his club's official website. "The tie against Sevilla is all to play for.

"We have the advantage of playing at home and we can turn the result around."

Sevilla are still without injured trio Beto, Coke and Stephane Mbia.