Sevilla vs Zaragoza preview - Renato targets Champions League spot

Posted Sunday, April 03, 2011 by PA

Sevilla midfielder Renato believes his side can still reach next season's Champions League, but admits they need either Villarreal or Valencia to hit a poor patch of form between now and the end of the season.

Los Rojiblancos' season has been largely disappointing, but the their last two results - a creditable 1-1 draw at home to Barcelona and an impressive 1-0 win at Valencia - have brought a new-found optimism to the Sanchez Pizjuan.

Sevilla are now in seventh, 12 points behind both third-placed Villarreal and Valencia, in fourth, with nine rounds of the championship remaining.

"We need some luck; we need Villarreal and Valencia to not pick up wins," Renato said.

"The important thing is to close them down little by little so that at the end of the season we are fighting for the Champions League.

"I definitely think we have a chance - mathematically it's possible."

And the Brazilian believes winning at home is vital to his side's European aspirations.

"We have to win our home games," he said.

Sevilla host relegation-threatened Zaragoza at the Sanchez Pizjuan.

"They are a dangerous team with a lot of quality players and a great coach," Renato said.

Following their 1-0 defeat at Mallorca before the international break, Zaragoza are now just a point clear of the bottom three.

But defender Matteo Contini , who used the international break to fully recover from his fitness problems, believes a point will be a welcome return from the game.

"We have some really difficult away games ahead and we'll celebrate every point as if it were a victory," he said.

Edmilson is doubtful for Zaragoza, while Arouna Kone is nearing a return for Sevilla but is unlikely to be risked following a long spell on the sidelines.