FC Bayern face Sevilla in the Champions League quarter-finals. The Spaniards somewhat surprisingly reached the last eight after finishing second in Group F, behind Liverpool but ahead of CSKA Moscow and NK Maribor. Vincenzo Montella's men knocked out Manchester United in the last sixteen, winning 2-1 at Old Trafford after a goalless draw in the first leg. The German record champions should be alert, as two former FCB pros have stressed.
"It would be a mistake to think Sevilla are easy opponents," Martin Demichelis warned, cautioning against underestimating Bayern's opponents. The former FCB pro played for Malaga before hanging up his boots last year. Demichelis knows Sevilla very well: "It'll be a fiery match," said Micho, referring not only to the almost summery temperatures in Seville. "The atmosphere there is fantastic, incredible. The fans really spur their team on. It's not easy to win in Seville."
FC Bayern are "a step ahead" because of their Champions League experience and their strong squad, according to Demichelis, but the men from Munich are in for a tough challenge. "Sevilla turned in strong displays in the group stage, they played well at home against Manchester United and at Old Trafford. So it would be a mistake to think it'll be easy in the quarter-finals."
Xabi Alonso agrees. The Spanish world and European champion, who returned to live in Madrid after ending his playing career last year, monitors the Spanish league. "I think FC Bayern are favourites, but that doesn't mean anything. You have to demonstrate it on the pitch. The team are playing very well at the moment, I have a good feeling. But it's not easy. Sevilla have good players, the fans are fired up, it's a superb chance for Sevilla to reach the semi-finals," said Alonso, issuing a final warning: "Anything can happen in the quarter-finals."
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