Sevilla vs Barcelona. Spanish Super Cup Semi-finals.
Ramon Sanchez PizjuanAttendance36,311.
Sunday 14 August 2016 21:27, UK
Barcelona boss Luis Enrique expects Spanish Super Cup opponents Sevilla to be just as much of a threat as before despite them undergoing a major summer rebuild.
Sevilla head into Sunday's Super Cup first leg - live on Sky Sports 1 at 9pm on Sunday - at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan barely recognisable from the side that won a third successive Europa League title last season as well as reaching the Copa del Rey final.
Gone are the Andalusian outfit's hugely successful coach Unai Emery, who is now in charge of Paris St Germain, as well as senior players such as Kevin Gameiro, Grzegorz Krychowiak, Ever Banega, Jose Antonio Reyes and Coke.
In their place have come a host of new faces, including former Chile boss Jorge Sampaoli, as Sevilla seek to continue their record-breaking success of recent years.
The new-look Sevilla were unable to add to their haul of trophies in midweek when they suffered an agonising 3-2 extra-time defeat to Real Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup, but Luis Enrique nevertheless believes they will be right up there again under Sampaoli.
He said at his pre-match press conference: "We're facing a different Sevilla, with many changes, including their coach with his philosophy of playing.
"I like Sampaoli because he has an attacking philosophy, being a good team with and without the ball.
"I think that their danger will increase with this style. They've strengthened very well. Sevilla have been a benchmark in Europe and in our league and I think they will continue being that."
Regarding his own side's preparations heading into the new season, Luis Enrique is happy with how things are progressing but admits there are still areas that need working on.
"What I like most is the attitude. In two years here I've not had a training session where I've had to intervene to increase the intensity," said the 46-year-old, who preferred not to talk about reported transfer target Paco Alcacer of Valencia.
"What do I like less? There's nothing that worries me. There's things to improve, but we're on with them. Maybe we're lacking rhythm because of the break that we've had, but that will not be an excuse and we need to go for it from day one."
New Sevilla coach Sampaoli accepts why Barca - last season's double winners - are favourites for the Supercup, but insists his side are determined to upset the odds. To do that, he says the key is to try to starve Barca of possession.
He said: "For characteristics, history and because we're without players and coming off a 120-minute match which has cut short our preparations, it's normal that Barcelona have this position (favourites). But with our rebellious nature, we will try to change this.
"I think the best way to defend against a team with so much possession, is by having the ball. We need to try and ensure that they don't have the ball for the majority of the time."
Sevilla are without David Soria, Nico Pareja, Daniel Carrico and Timothee Kolodziejczak for Sunday's game, while Barca have lost goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen to injury.
The return leg is at the Nou Camp on Wednesday.
