Manchester United will look to secure a decent first-leg advantage at Sevilla in Wednesday’s Champions League last-16 encounter.

Ahead of the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan clash, Press Association Sport’s Simon Peach takes a look at the Spanish side.

FORM

This has been a topsy-turvy campaign for the Andalusian club. Through to the Copa del Rey final and fifth in La Liga, they have also endured some poor results and created ripples by sacking coach Eduardo Berizzo just a week after surgery to treat prostate cancer.

Vincenzo Montella is now in charge of a Sevilla side who rallied from a shock 5-1 defeat at Eibar at the start of the February to win their next three in all competitions.

EUROPEAN RECORD

Sevilla are hoping it is fourth time lucky having so far failed to make it past the last-16, bowing out to Leicester at this juncture last year. They reached the knockout round this season by finishing second in Group E to Liverpool. Jurgen Klopp’s Reds surrendered a three-goal half-time lead in Spain as Sevilla grabbed a 3-3 draw in November, having drawn 2-2 at Anfield in September.

While they have failed to make an impact in Europe’s premier competition, the club know what it takes to succeed on the continental stage.

Having first lifted the UEFA Cup in 2006, they have won the competition – now under the guise of the Europa League – a record-breaking five times.

MANAGER

Having ruthlessly disposed of Berizzo – who faced United as Celta Vigo manager in last season’s Europa League semi-finals – the club turned to former Italy striker Montella.

Part of Roma’s Serie A triumph in 2001, he appeared 20 times for his country and had a brief spell on loan at Fulham. Montella ended his career at Roma and took charge of their Under-15 side and briefly spent time in temporary charge of the first team before taking the reins at Catania.

Spells with Fiorentina and Sampdoria followed, before taking charge of AC Milan in the summer of 2016. Sacked by the San Siro giants in November, Montella was appointed Sevilla coach on a one-and-a-half year deal the following month.

TEAM INFO

Sevilla’s squad boasts plenty of Premier League experience, including Roque Mesa and Sandro Ramirez after moving on loan in January following unsuccessful starts to life at Swansea and Everton respectively.

Steven N’Zonzi, Miguel Layun and Daniel Carrico are others to have played in the English top-flight, so too Jesus Navas – a champion with Manchester City in 2014 – and Nolito. Sevilla approach the first leg with Sergio Escudero, Ever Banega and Gabriel Mercado all a booking away from a suspension.

Provided by Press Association Sport