Sevilla wing-back Adriano has told his team-mates they cannot
afford to fail in their Champions League last-16 clash with CSKA
Moscow.
Sevilla, fourth in the Primera Division, have been handed
what looks like one of the easier ties against a side who conceded
more goals than any other qualifier from the group stage.
And Adriano knows Wednesday's first leg in Moscow represents
a great chance to make further progress - especially with CSKA not
having played a competitive game in two-and-a-half months.
"We cannot fail now," he said. "We are all very focused. The
game is important for the players because everyone wants to play in
the Champions League but it is also important for the club and the
fans.
"Sevilla have grown enormously in recent years, are a team
with strength and international presence and have to be in the
Champions League to strengthen the position of the club."
Saturday's 3-1 win against Real Mallorca, which ended the
island side's perfect home league record, has left Sevilla in
confident mood.
"It was a great dress rehearsal for the match in Moscow,"
said Adriano. "It was a great game that confirmed the level the
team is at. Anyone who underestimates Sevilla is taking a big risk.
"In the Champions League, everyone understands that Sevilla
have great potential."
Sevilla arrived in Russia to be greeted by unfamiliarly cold
conditions and the players took the chance to have a snowball fight
in training.
Adriano added on www.sevillafc.es: "We respect CSKA, we also
respect the influence that the cold may have, but we are ready to
deal with everything: the snow, the cold and the opponents."
Sevilla will be without striker Luis Fabiano for the Luzhniki
Stadium clash after the Brazil player sustained an injury to his
chest in the win over Mallorca.
Winger Diego Capel also picked up a muscle injury in that
game and will miss out but Fredi Kanoute has recovered from a thigh
problem and is available.
"It is a pity that Luis Fabiano is not available but, as much
importance as a player can have, the team always has solutions to
deal with these absences," said Adriano.
"We are a team, we are a group and that makes the difference
in football."
Having been out of action for so long, with the Russian
season having concluded at the end of November, CSKA look like
having a fully-fit squad available.
Highly-rated defender Uros Cosic and and young forward Alan
Dzagoev are both back in full training after back and groin
injuries respectively and are expected to be available.
Sergei Ignashevich and Aleksei Berezutski are back after
European suspensions.
CSKA defender Vasili Berezutski is not expecting the weather
to work in his side's favour.
"It would be a big mistake to think the Spaniards would just
fall over on the slippery surface and give us a clean path to their
goal," he said.
