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Sevilla goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic spoke about the Old Trafford atmosphere ahead of the La Liga club’s Europa League tie with Manchester United.
United take on Europa League specialists Sevilla this evening in the first leg of the competition’s quarter-final.
And while United have had a reasonably positive campaign, with the club sitting in the top four of the Premier League and having claimed the Carabao Cup - their first trophy in six years, Sevilla’s form has been woeful.
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The Spanish club, who qualified for the Champions League for a third consecutive year last season, now find themselves fighting relegation.
They are just five points adrift of the drop, having had as many managers as away wins (three).
However, Sevilla have a special relationship with the Europa League, having won the competition six times in the past, including four of the last nine editions.
They find themselves in the quarter-final having survived comebacks twice in their two knock-out ties, and Sevilla goalkeeper Dmitrovic admits he’s unlikely to be fazed by the Old Trafford atmosphere.
Dmitrovic opens up on Man Utd atmosphere
In an interview with the Guardian Dmitrovic laid bare the tense atmosphere he’s played in across his career - including one incident against PSV earlier this season where a supporter leapt on to the pitch and assaulted him.
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“He came from behind, I didn’t see him,” Dmitrovic explained. “It catches you by surprise, you don’t know what’s happening. Who pushed you? Why?”
“They did tests and he had a lot of alcohol in his blood; he was mad drunk, Maybe he didn’t have the strength to get further into the pitch and I was just the nearest.
“I managed to stay calm and take him out until security came. It wasn’t nice but I was fine. PSV banned him for 40 years, so they’re conscious of errors made, and the flowers were nice.
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“It’s a great club, historic, with passionate supporters, and one man can’t stain an entire fanbase. If a fan gets on, there’s an organisational failure. It shouldn’t happen. This ended
“OK, but in Turkey [at Sivasspor], a Fiorentina player [Alessandro Bianco] was hit and properly hurt. He could have been carrying a weapon, assaulted someone properly, injured them. I remember Monica Seles. Hopefully, this will ensure it doesn’t happen again.”
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Indeed, Dmitrovic insisted that at Old Trafford he won’t need to worry about such hostility.
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He said: “People are passionate there but I don’t recall any incident in England.
“I’m sure the atmosphere will be great, nothing will happen except a few whistles. I’ve long been an admirer, a fan, of English football.
“I follow it. I spent a few months at Charlton. It’s one of the best leagues. And what more can I say about Old Trafford? Every player would love the chance to play there.”
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Football, Manchester United, Sevilla, Europa League