Almeria vs Sevilla preview - Carrico: We won't get carried away

Posted Saturday, March 08, 2014 by PA

Defender Daniel Carrico has stressed Sevilla are very much taking things one step at a time at the moment.

The Andalusian club are in encouraging form as their season nears its conclusion, unbeaten in five games in all competitions and victorious in their last three.

And next week they host fellow Primera Division outfit Real Betis in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie.

Many fans' thoughts may already be fixed on that game, but Carrico, who is on loan at Sevilla from Reading, has emphasised that the inside the camp, the focus for now is on Sunday's league trip to strugglers Almeria.

"We are only thinking about the Almeria game," the Portuguese player said at a pre-match press conference.

"We are very focused on this game, and then next week, we will think about Betis.

"If you start thinking about Thursday's game, you do not concentrate 100 per cent for Sunday's game, and it is in the league, the competition which can give us access to Europe for next season.

"We must keep winning in the league and continue fighting to qualify for European competitions."

Sevilla are seventh, five points behind sixth-placed Real Sociedad and 12 behind fourth-placed Athletic Bilbao with 12 matches left to play each.

In terms of how the campaign might finish up, Carrico is again keen not to get ahead of himself.

Asked if Sevilla could still aim for the Champions League, he said: "If we keep going and put together a streak of positive results, we have many possibilities to finish in a European place.

"But let's think game by game. Playing in the Champions League is something that is a big target which is always present, but this year the team is quite new and we have to think little by little.

"Our ambition is there and we are going to keep fighting for everything, but we have to be aware of the season that we are having and fight for the Europa League."

Almeria begin this weekend's action just three points clear of the relegation zone in 17th and certainly looking in need of what would be their first victory in four games.

Skipper Corona is in no doubt as to the significance of the fixture, but also is not about to rate it as an absolute 'must-win' contest.

The midfielder, quoted on www.udalmeriasad.com, said: "The Sevilla match is very important to us, but nothing is definitive yet because ahead there are still many days and many clashes against direct rivals.

"We will face it with calmness and confidence in what we are currently doing."