Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Granit Xhaka believes the Sevilla fans are among the most passionate in Spain as the Germans travel to Nervion.
Xhaka will miss the Champions League group stage game through suspension, having been sent off against Sevilla for Gladbach when the sides met last season in the Europa League.
“It would have been my first game for Gladbach in the Champions League. We worked long and hard to achieve this goal so, of course, it will be difficult for me not to be on the field,” the Switzerland international told Estadio Deportivo.
“From our point of view, it’s a very difficult group. Juventus reached the final last season, while Sevilla won the Europa League. Manchester City are the favourites, for me.
“We are the underdogs but hopefully we can do well in a difficult group. I’m confident we can do well.
“I knew already the Sevilla fans were some of the most passionate in Spain. That was shown [in the Europa League fixture] even though the ground wasn’t full.
“Now we’re back there for the Champions League and it’s possible the ground will be full, so they will be an even stronger opponent. It will be an even more exciting and vibrant game.”
It was put to Xhaka that Sevilla’s much-changed squad from last season means they may be weaker opponents, but he dismissed the notion, as well as the idea that Sevilla have a star man.
“Sevilla put together a good squad, so the bigger clubs saw it. The same happened to us, and all teams,” he admitted.
“I sincerely believe that with a team which won a European trophy a few months ago, you can’t talk about a specific, exceptional player. Even less so in Sevilla’s case.”
