Carlos Bacca feels Sevilla’s form at their Sanchez Pizjuan home will be the key factor in their quest for a Champions League spot this season.
The Colombian striker, back from his country’s mini-tour of the Persian Gulf, is also hoping Los Rojiblancos continue the fine form they were showing before the international break against Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.
“It’s going to be difficult but it will be a nice game to play in and these are the kind of fixtures we like,” Bacca told the club’s official website.
“We’ve been playing well recently and so have Athletic, but they know they will be facing a great Sevilla team.
“We have to maintain our home strength at the Sanchez Pizjuan – Sevilla have not been beaten there since April last year – and continue to force teams to respect us. It’s not easy because you can lose any game but the fans are with us and we hope to carry on our unbeaten run at home.
“We’ll be going into the Athletic match with a lot of confidence and while we know it’s a big game we’ll be asking the fans to get behind us even more as they always give 120 per cent.
“I’m also happy to have been with my national team last week because of what I can contribute, although to continue joining up with them I know I need to do well with Sevilla.”
Bacca maintains the Andalusians’ only objective this season is to earn a top four place.
“Our dream is the Champions League and we have all our squad available and eager to fight for it. In the Europa League this year we’ve had a lot of tough tests but to become champions you’ve got to beat the best teams.
“First-leg games are always difficult and we’ll be facing a Zenit side in the next round who are used to playing in the Champions League.”
In addition, the 28-year-old congratulated teammate Vitolo, who made his international bow in Spain’s 2-0 defeat to Holland on Tuesday.
“It’s a great joy and we’ve already let him know via a Whatsapp group we have. Some of my other teammates also deserved it but we are very happy for Vitolo,” he concluded.
