Sevilla’s Ivan Rakitic has vowed Sevilla will leave everything on the pitch against Manchester United this week.
Sevilla have been given new belief by their fightback at Old Trafford in the Europa League first leg which saw them come from two goals down to draw 2-2.
The La Liga side have home advantage for the second leg, and Sevilla’s Ivan Rakitic believes it will be significant.
He experienced visiting Sevilla in the away dressing room with Barcelona and knows the home support at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán Stadium will be a real factor.
Rakitic warns Manchester United
Rakitic spoke to AS and warned of an intimidating and raucous atmosphere which will await Erik ten Hag’s side.
He said: “These people don’t know what awaits them on Thursday. It is a team with a lot of experience and many millions, but United does not know what Ramón Sanchez-Pizjuán is like packed. I know from when I was at Barcelona that players from other teams sing the Sevilla anthem on the pitch.
“It’s unique. What our fans have created is very impressive”
He warned that two players, David de Gea and Casemiro, who have experienced the stadium, will be worried.
Rakitic said: “De Gea or Casemiro, who have played here, will surely explain to them that this is something else. You get anywhere and they say that this is Sevilla’s competition.
“They are going to have to suffer, I cannot guarantee that we will qualify but we are going to leave everything on the field.”
David de Gea in particular has a frustrating record against Sevilla. He has never beaten them in eight attempts, which included a Copa del Rey final defeat with Atletico Madrid. He did, however, keep a clean sheet on his last visit with Manchester United in 2018.
Casemiro has a better record against Sevilla. He has only lost four of 16 games played against them, with no defeats since 2018. They are the only Spanish team he has ever scored two goals in one game against.
Rakitic paid acknowledgement to Manchester United’s pulling power to acquire Casemiro last summer.
He said: “We are talking about one of the most important teams in Europe and with significant economic potential. There are few teams that can take away a Real Madrid starter, Casemiro, that speaks of the strength and potential of Manchester United.”
It will certainly help United to have players who have played at Sevilla before. Victor Lindelof was also a starter when United drew 0-0 in 2018, as was Scott McTominay, although his fitness for the fixture is uncertain.
The worry for United is how much a victory may sap from the team’s energy levels, with a FA Cup semi-final days later at Wembley. But it would be even more damaging to head to the showdown with Brighton on the back of a defeat.