Dnipro hungry before Europa final

26 May 2015 04:32

Dnipro coach Myron Markevych is hoping to help his players overcome any pre-match jitters as they attempt to wrestle the Europa League trophy away from holders Sevilla on Wednesday.

The Ukrainian club are appearing in their first European final, having never progressed beyond the last eight prior to this season, but will begin as underdogs against a Sevilla side who are looking to become the first team ever to lift the cup for a fourth time.

Sevilla dispatched Fiorentina with ease in the semis, thumping the Italians 5-0 over two legs, but Dnipro will not be short on confidence either following the surprise 2-1 aggregate victory over Rafael Benitez's Napoli.

And Markevych sees no reason why his players cannot inflict the same result on Sevilla in Warsaw's National Stadium by adopting a fearless attitude.

"Of course there is great excitement for the club. This is the final and the fans expect a good performance from us," he told a pre-match press conference.

"I'd be lying if I said the players weren't nervous. But it's important they forget those nerves tomorrow."

Markevych also confessed even he has been taken aback by Dnipro's success in the competition but is keen to see that continue into the final.

"I did not imagine we'd get this far, but your appetite grows once you start eating," he said.

"I think Sevilla are fairly similar to Napoli in style, which will help us a lot. They can create a number of chances but our defence has been playing at a high standard and we must subdue them.

"We cannot hide from the fact Sevilla are the favourites so we need to make the most of the situation and play tactically."

Sevilla needed penalties to see off Benfica in last season's final in Turin and coach Unai Emery has a decision to make over who will play between the posts in Warsaw, with Sergio Rico, Beto and Mariano Barbosa vying for the spot.

Beto, who recently returned from a long-term shoulder injury, insists whoever gets the nod will have the full support of the others, however, stressing that the most important thing is to retain their trophy.

"The goalkeeping role is shared among many people and it's the team performance that is key," he told the club's official website.

"Whether you play Sergio, Mariano or myself, all three of us will be in goal helping each other, giving words of support and confidence. It's always been that way.

"We have a very good relationship of competition and friendship. And I will support whatever the coach decides - it's his choice.

"Whoever plays, the aim is to defend our title and bring back to Sevilla what belongs here - the trophy. We want to relive what happened in Turin last year."

Source: PA