SEVILLE - Sevilla president Jose Maria del Nido has described the club's second leg Champions League last-16 tie against Fenerbahce on Tuesday as "one of the most important in the history of Sevilla FC".
The Rojiblancos have built a hunger for big European nights in recent seasons having claimed the previous two UEFA Cups before their current Champions League campaign.
Sevilla had never qualified for Europe's premier club competition before this season and they have not disappointed on their debut.
Despite former coach Juande Ramos' departure to Tottenham - after he led them to their UEFA Cup double - the Andalusian giants qualified top of their group, which contained 2006 finalists Arsenal.
The prospect of further progression to the last eight became even more tantalising when they were drawn against Fenerbahce, who themselves had never reached the knockout phase.
The Turkish champions will, however, arrive in Seville holding a 3-2 advantage from the first leg in Istanbul a fortnight ago when substitute striker Semih Senturk struck a late winner.
Manolo Jimenez's team were met by a hostile reception from the Fener crowd that night and Del Nido has called on the Sevilla fans to make the visitors' trip to the Sanchez Pizjuan equally uncomfortable.
"Tuesday night's game is one of the most important in the history of Sevilla FC and I want the fans to carry the team through with glorious support," Del Nido told the club's official website.
"Although their fans created a very hostile atmosphere when we visited Turkey, they did so in a very sporting way and treated our team and fans with respect.
"Therefore I expect our fans to show the same courtesy before, during and after the game."
Sevilla goalkeeper Andres Palop revealed the Sevilla players are anxious ahead of the game, but he remains confident his team can grab the win they need to progress.
"To get through to the quarter finals is very important and we will then enter the draw with the best teams in Europe - therefore we are all approaching this game with a lot of excitement and concentration," he said.
"They will come to defend their result and try to damage us, but we will not concentrate on what they are doing but on what we are doing.
"If we play to our full potential then I have confidence that we can progress to the next round."
Sevilla rested several key players ahead of the return leg as they saw their six-game unbeaten run in the Primera Liga ended with a 2-1 defeat at Deportivo La Coruna on Sunday.
Midfielder Seydou Keita, winger Diego Capel and defenders Ivica Dragutinovic and Julien Escude, who scored in the first leg, were all spectators for the match in La Coruna while Luis Fabiano replaced fellow striker Frederic Kanoute in the 50th minute.
All six were named in Sevilla's 19-man squad ahead of Tuesday's game with Jimenez set to reveal his side on the eve of the match.
Fener will arrive in Spain without former Real Madrid left-back Roberto Carlos who is still sidelined by the leg injury he sustained against Sevilla a fortnight ago.
