Sevilla seeks to protect scoreline vs. CSKA

Sevilla goes into its Champions League clash with CSKA Moscow on Tuesday aiming to brush aside the pressures of a hectic schedule as it defends a 1-1 scoreline from the first leg.

The Spanish side only needs to stop the Russians from scoring in the Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium in order to reach the quarterfinals of the competition. In the first leg, Mark Gonzalez equalized for CSKA after Alvaro Negredo put Sevilla ahead.

However, with the end of the Spanish league season now in sight, a crowded agenda is taking its toll on the Andalusians. They are in fourth position in the league and are fighting for a Champions League spot for next season. Aside from their successful European campaign, they have also reached the final of the Copa del Rey.

Saturday's 1-1 draw against Deportivo La Coruna in the league was a good overall performance, although forwards Frederic Kanoute and Negredo looked jaded. Negredo picked up an injury and was substituted by the more effective Luis Fabiano in the second half.

"We have three really great forwards but they have not been 100 percent, above all because of the injuries that Kanoute and Luis Fabiano have suffered," said Sevilla coach Manolo Jimenez. "But we expect them to return to their top form.

"This is a game to be played at 100 percent, not 95 percent. I'd prefer to have a player who has been rested for a long time to one who is only 90 percent. This is a game to die for on the field."

Fabiano is expected to start in attack as Sevilla attempts to reach the quarterfinals for the second time. Defender Abdoulay Konko is unlikely to feature due to an injury.

CSKA, by contrast, is only just starting its domestic league campaign and opened the season last Friday by beating the modest Amkar 1-0, after losing the Russian Super Cup game 1-0 to Rubin Kazan. Star midfielder Alan Dzagoev only played the first half against Amkar as coach Leonid Slutskiy rested him ahead of the Sevilla game.

Slutskiy sees Sevilla as a huge challenge for his team and he has been watching his opponents closely.

"In defense they are very serious and compact. And in attack they have a lot of variety," he said. "I already knew them well but in recent months, after following their games, players like Kanoute, Luis Fabiano, Jesus Navas and (Diego) Perotti keep amazing me."

Sevilla has won its three previous matches against Russian visitors at the Sanchez Pizjuan. However, in CSKA's only previous trip to Spain, it beat Barcelona 3-2 in the 1992-93 Champions League second round, a result that eliminated the then-holders.

CSKA also highlighted its pedigree more recently, when it became the first Russian side to win a major European title by lifting the UEFA Cup in 2005.