Del Nido: Don't write Sevilla off

Published Feb. 1, 2011 1:20 p.m. ET

foxsports

Sevilla president Jose Maria Del Nido expects Wednesday's Copa del Rey semi-final second leg against Real Madrid to be an intense affair.

The Andalucian club are the defending champions but face an uphill task to reach their second successive final against a Madrid side, who are 1-0 up, aiming to win their first Copa since 1993.

Karim Benzema's strike proved the difference between the teams in the opening leg, and Del Nido knows his players will do all they can to wipe out that advantage even if the odds are stacked against them.

"Right now, Madrid have a better chance of advancing to the final," he told Marca. "But no-one should write off the defending champions.

"There are 90 minutes left in the tie and our duty is to fight throughout.

"The second leg will be just as intense as the match we saw in Seville, if not more. It will be a brilliant footballing spectacle."

If Sevilla's task seems difficult, Almeria have an even tougher job if they are to reach the cup final for the first time in their history.

Almeria suffered a 5-0 hammering at the hands of Barcelona in the opening leg, and will be hoping to salvage some pride at Estadio de los Juegos Mediterraneos on Wednesday with their challenge in the competition all but over.

Barca defender Eric Abidal is in no doubt his team are already Copa finalists, but remains unfazed about the possibility of facing bitter rivals Madrid in the showpiece.

"First we have to go and play the game and then we'll see who we face in the final," he told the club's website.

"It doesn't matter who you play, it isn't important, it's the winning that counts. And this is a title that we want."