Sevilla's Jose Luis Mendilibar undaunted by task of facing Manchester United in Europa League

This has been a tumultuous season for the Andalusian club, who began the campaign under now Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui before turning to former coach Jorge Sampaoli in October.

Poor performances led Sevilla to appoint well-travelled Mendilibar last month, with wins at Cadiz and a draw with Celta Vigo somewhat easing their shock LaLiga relegation concerns.

But now the record Europa League winners - having won the competition six times since 2005 - turn their attention to a quarter-final first leg at Old Trafford, where the 62-year-old will take charge of his first major European match.

"My first game in the Europa League managing a team," Mendilibar said. "I face up to it with amazing willingness to play this game and wanting to get a great result in this game.

"I think I've kind of almost won the lottery being here and being able to manage in this game.

"I've been a manager for 16 years in Primera Division. It's my first time in a European competition but I'm delighted to be here in my position."

Mendilibar's only previous continental experience as manager came in the Intertoto Cup, where his Athletic Bilbao side went out on penalties to Romanian club CFR Cluj in 2005.

The Sevilla coach is confident this tie will go far better thanks to the way his players have bought into his management since arriving three weeks ago.

"We just need to come away with a good result and that's why we're going to compete," Mendilibar said.

"The idea will always be to respect our opponents but try to win the game.

"I'm convinced that they will also try to win the game, they respect us and they respect our history because our history as Sevilla is perhaps even bigger than theirs.

"Before I came here the club had already knocked out some really big sides. We're just two steps away from getting to a potential final, so we have to think about the game tomorrow.

"We know it's 180 minutes, it's not just 90, but we're going to focus on the game tomorrow, to compete and focus on winning it."

United have already knocked out two Spanish sides this season, beating LaLiga leaders Barcelona in the play-off round before overcoming Sevilla's bitter rivals Real Betis in the last-16.

A 4-1 Old Trafford win in the first leg effectively killed that tie but experienced midfielder Ivan Rakitic baulked at the suggestion they need to ensure they keep hopes alive heading into next week's second leg on home soil.

"We want to compete tomorrow, compete well," the former Croatia midfielder said.

"We've prepared in the best way possible but this idea of getting home and still being alive, I don't really like that expression. I think we want to compete as well as we possibly can.

"This is our competition. I think we need to go out tomorrow and give absolutely everything, leave it all on the pitch and with that effort to be able to go home satisfied with our performance."

<p>The article <a href="https://www.planetsport.com/soccer/news/sevillas-jose-luis-mendilibar-undaunted-task-facing-manchester-united-europa-league">Sevilla's Jose Luis Mendilibar undaunted by task of facing Manchester United in Europa League </a> appeared first on Planetsport.com.</p>