Sevilla vs Juventus - Sampaoli insists Sevilla will not play for draw

Posted Tuesday, November 22, 2016 by PA

Jorge Sampaoli insists he will not send his Sevilla players out looking for a draw with Juventus even though a point would be enough to seal their place in the Champions League knockout stages.

The Europa League holders play host to Juve boasting a two-point lead over the Italian giants in Group H, and could even afford to lose the match and still be guaranteed a top-two finish providing third-placed Lyon do not beat Dinamo Zagreb.

Rather than leave his side's fate in the hands of others, though, Sampaoli wants Sevilla to go for a victory over Juve that would secure their progress and ensure they finish as group winners.

Sampaoli, whose team held Juve to a goalless draw in the first meeting between the two, told his pre-match press conference: "In Turin we didn't attack. The plan now will be different.

"You go into these types of games trying to stamp your authority on them, to go out looking to win.

"To play a waiting game against a team like Juve wouldn't bother them and would make them feel comfortable.

"We have to try to be decisive, to get on top of them and look to win the game."

The former Chile coach is well aware of the risks of employing an all-out attacking approach against the five-time defending Serie A champions, though.

He said: "They are extremely dangerous on the counter-attack, because they have a lot of fast players and are very strong in all aspects.

"They are an opponent who are going to make the night and qualification very difficult for us if we're not aware that we need to try and win the game."

Sampaoli also played down the absence of his fellow Argentinian Gonzalo Higuain, with the Juve striker sitting out the trip to Spain after picking up a thigh injury during Saturday's win over Pescara.

Juve are also missing Paulo Dybala, Andrea Barzagli and Medhi Benatia but Sampaoli said: "They have one of the best squads in the world. They may be missing some important players but there will be others just as important as them."

Juve can also qualify for the last 16 on Tuesday night and, like Sevilla, could do so even in defeat depending on the result in the night's other game in Zagreb.

Bianconeri full-back Dani Alves, a former Sevillista, said: "We've come here to get the victory that will see us claim top spot in the group, not to defend.

"Sevilla are in really good shape at the moment and that doesn't surprise me. They have a great coach and excellent players.

"But this is a time when a team has to prove how good it really is, because qualification is at stake."

Sevilla have a doubt over Samir Nasri, who will face a late fitness test to see if he will be able to feature.