Genk vs Celta Vigo - Guidetti has his heart set on Stockholm

Posted Thursday, April 20, 2017 by PA

John Guidetti has added motivation for Celta Vigo to overcome a dangerous Genk side in the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final.

Striker Guidetti scored during a five-goal thriller as the LaLiga side claimed a 3-2 advantage over the Belgians last week and Eduardo Berizzo's men travel to the Cristal Arena hoping to reach the last four of a major European competition for the first time in the club's history.

Sweden international Guidetti is relishing the prospect of taking another step closer to the Europa League final, which will be held in his home town of Stockholm in May.

"To play in any Europa League final would be motivation enough, even if it was on the moon, but of course for it to be played in Stockholm is a big thing for me," the 25-year-old told UEFA.com. "It's where I was born, where I grew up - it's in my heart."

After scoring Celta's third goal of the game, home fans sang 'Johnny G' by Swedish group Badpojken in tribute to the striker, and Guidetti wants to repay the fans by helping them advance to the semi-finals of the competition.

"The Celta fans are fantastic," Guidetti added. "Before the game with Genk they were here two hours ahead of kick-off and showed us so much love. We want to give it back to them by getting to the semi-finals.

"We're playing really well, we have a great squad and we just work hard together; we're like a big family. We've beaten Barcelona and Real Madrid and won away at Shakhtar Donetsk, so we can beat any team if we play the way we can."

Meanwhile, Genk coach Albert Stuivenberg believes his side are prepared to do whatever it takes to progress and will hope to build on the two away goals they scored against the Spaniards.

"We now have to play to win. We always do. But you can get in a match at a point where you waver between two opinions, we need to look forward. That's why we need a clear plan," he said.

"I have not seen that much nervousness in the group. There is a lot at stake but our preparation is no different. It's nice that we can play in front of a full house (at the Cristal Arena).

"I think the team deserves that. Our fans know that they see a team that is always combative, always wants to play good football and dares to take risks. We hope we can generate additional power with their support to put down a good result."

Goalkeeper Mathew Ryan added: "It's definitely one of the most important (games) of my career. As a footballer you dream of playing this kind of game. To play in the quarter-finals of the Europa League is a good feeling but we hope also to continue into the semi-finals."