Sevilla captain Ivan Rakitic has said the team need no telling how vital the Europa League derby with Real Betis is to the fans.
The sides meet at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on Thursday and the midfielder told a Press conference that Los Rojiblancos are well aware of the importance of the fixture.
“It will be a tie we’ll always remember,” Rakitic said.
“Getting to play in a European derby doesn’t happen very often, so it’s something special.
“It’s obviously not just another game but it’s important to remember at the end that it is a game like any other, but one where which we’ve got a lot of passion for.
“It’s a very difficult game and very complicated but we want to win.”
Rakitic added that Sevilla weren’t going to put too much faith in the fact that Betis are still bottom of the League.
“They have a good team and have been doing well lately,” the Croatia international insisted.
“We’ll have to give 100% intensity and we know a lot about them, although I suppose that’s the same for them about us.”
