Montella: I still believe Sevilla can progress

Vincenzo Montella has not given up on Sevilla’s semi-finals hopes after their 2-1 loss to Bayern Munich in Champions League.

Luck was not on Sevilla’s side as the Spanish outfit were beaten at home by Bayern in Tuesday’s quarter-final first leg.

Pablo Sarabia put Sevilla ahead in the 32nd minute at the Ramos Sanchez Pizjuan, but a pair of deflected goals saw German champions Bayern emerge victorious.

Jesus Navas’ attempt to block Franck Ribery’s cross resulted in an own goal, while Thiago Alcantara’s second-half header deflected off Escudero.

Sevilla – who upstaged Manchester United in the last 16 – face an uphill battle in the return leg in Munich but head coach Montella said: “We will play with same pride or even more.

“The impossible things might become possible if you believe, and I still believe.

“Surely, our percentage of options is low but we will play it.”

MATCH REPORT | #SevillaFC 1-2 @FCBayernEN | Two deflected away goals hand Bayern the advantage

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— Sevilla FC (@SevillaFC_ENG) April 3, 2018

“I don’t think we were lucky,” the former AC Milan boss said. “I am pleased for my players as they played an excellent game against a great opponent. We deserved something else.

“We had a perfect tactical order in the first half creating some good chances. It was a pity to concede, as despite it did not demoralise us, we did lose our dynamic. Bayern had plenty of the ball but were not dangerous.”

Montella added: “In the second half it was even but we did not have enough power to counterattack. In the last ten minutes we came forward proudly and I liked it.

“It was a pity to concede two goals through two deflections.”