Arjen Robben has warned against complacency when Bayern Munich host Sevilla
Arjen Robben says Bayern Munich can take nothing for granted against Sevilla in Wednesday's quarter-final second leg after the La Liga side already dumped Manchester United out of the Champions League.
Bayern have one foot in a seventh European semi-final in nine years after earning a 2-1 away win at Sevilla in last week's first leg. However, Sevilla have already proved how dangerous they can be away from home in Europe.
After a goalless draw in Seville in the last 16, they dumped Jose Mourinho's United out with a 2-1 win at Old Trafford last month with French striker Wissam Ben Yedder scoring both goals.
Robben has warned Bayern must be on their guard, especially given their history of elimination by Spanish teams in the knock-out phases in each of the last four seasons.
Thiago Alcantara celebrates his goal from the first leg with team-mates
"We need to be careful," Robben said. "It's the last roll of the dice for Sevilla and they will give it their all.
"Everyone is talking about the semis, but if we win, then we can talk about that. A 2-1 win away from home is always great, but it's not the same as 5-0 against Besiktas (in the last 16).
"They [Sevilla] did brilliantly in Manchester and we know we have to perform."
Bayern though should have reason for optimism about booking their place in the draw for the semi-finals on Friday.
Franck Ribery in action for Bayern Munich against Sevilla in the Champions League
They have been in brilliant form at the Allianz Arena, demolishing both Hamburg and Borussia Dortmund 6-0 in their last two home games. Meanwhile, Sevilla are winless in their four games since winning at Old Trafford and crashed to a 4-0 league defeat at Celta Vigo on Saturday.
And the pressure is starting to mount on head coach Vincenzo Montella ahead of the game in Munich.
He said: "The impossible things might become possible if you believe - and I still believe."
Team news
Bayern boss Jupp Heynckes has revealed Jerome Boateng is fit to play despite a bruised foot.
The Germany centre-back picked up the knock when Bayern were confirmed Bundesliga champions for the sixth straight season with a 4-1 win at Augsburg on Saturday. However, Heynckes also said both left-back David Alaba, back in training after a back injury, and midfielder Arturo Vidal, who has a knock, are unlikely to play.
Bayern defender Jerome Boateng (R) is fit to face Sevilla
Manuel Neuer and Kinglsey Coman are also still absent as they continue their recoveries from injury.
Sevilla are boosted by the return of midfielder Ever Banega, who is back from suspension.
Bayern warning
With one eye on a potential semi-final, Bayern's stars must be careful.Top-scorer Robert Lewandowski, who has netted 35 goals in 39 games for Bayern this season, is just one yellow card from a ban. The same applies to Franck Ribery, Joshua Kimmich, Corentin Tolisso, Jerome Boateng and Sebastian Rudy.
Opta facts
- Bayern's first leg win in Seville was the first meeting between these sides in European competition. The German side have only lost three of their 19 home Champions League games against Spanish opponents (W13 D3), but did lose the most recent one (1-2 vs Real Madrid in April 2017)
- Sevilla have lost consecutive European games against German teams, as many as they lost in their previous 19 (W12 D5)
- Bayern have only failed to progress from one of their 16 previous European Cup/Champions League knockout ties in which they won the first leg away from home (vs Inter Milan in 2010-11)
- Sevilla have never reached the semi-finals of the Champions League, with their only away win in the knockout stages of the competition coming at Old Trafford in the last round
- The Bavarians have won their last seven Champions League games, their longest run in the competition since a run of 10 between April and November 2013, which included the 2013 final victory against Borussia Dortmund
- Indeed, at home Bayern have won 20 of their last 21 Champions League games, losing only at this stage against Real Madrid last season (1-2)
- Robert Lewandowski has scored six goals in his last seven Champions League knockout stage games, though he's not scored in his last two
- Ten of Lewandowski's 45 Champions League goals have come against Spanish opponents (22 per cent), more than vs clubs from any other nation
- Wissam Ben Yedder has scored 10 goals in his 13 Champions League appearances, including eight in eight this season. Just three of those 10 goals have come away from home, however
- Jupp Heynckes has won his last 12 Champions League games as manager, the longest ever run in the history of the competition
Charlie's prediction
Pablo Sarabia bursts past Thomas Muller during the first leg
Bayern are in imposing form, securing the title at the weekend and they've got the bit between their teeth right now.
It is remarkable what Jupp Heynckes is bringing to them and the last time he walked away at the end of the season, he did so with the treble.
I actually think they're the team that the other sides will want to avoid the most in Friday's draw and there's no doubt that they'll be in it, even if Sevilla are an unpredictable side.
Charlie predicts: 3-0 Arjen Robben to score first
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