Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho will hope home comforts are key when he welcomes Sevilla on Tuesday night for a Champions League round-of-16 decider.
Nothing could separate the teams on the pitch in Spain three weeks ago as a goalless draw was recorded. United played defensively that day, but now know a win is required to make the quarter-finals for the first time since 2013/14.
For Sevilla, they will be desperate to improve a record of three defeats from three ties at this stage of the competition. They have not won on six trips to England, yet a score draw will be enough to send them through without penalties.
With much at stake, here we take a look at three key battles which could go a long way in deciding the outcome.
ROMELU LUKAKU V SIMON KJAER
It was not only the Liverpool fans who would have been left wincing when watching United’s weekend win.
Belgium forward Romelu Lukaku did not get on the score sheet, but the bullying treatment he handed out to Croatia centre-back Dejan Lovren was key to Mourinho’s monster gameplan.
Denmark’s Simon Kjaer should be tasked with handling United’s bulldozing No9 in midweek. The 28-year-old missed the scoreless opening leg through injury, but returned for the 1-0 La Liga victory at lowly Malaga.
Including this fixture, Sevilla have kept two clean sheets from three since his comeback.
Lukaku also failed to trouble Clement Lenglet and Gabriel Mercado in the opener. He had two off-target shots, was dispossessed twice and had only 38 touches – the second lowest of any starter from his side.
Yet since that day, the £75 million summer buy scored twice and been terrific in victories against former club Chelsea, Crystal Palace and Liverpool.
If this form continues, Kjaer could crack.
Simon Kjaer training for Sevilla.
SCOTT McTOMINAY V EVER BANEGA
The selection of the now Scotland call-up was the big talking point ahead of the first leg.
France superstar Paul Pogba was dropped to the bench, with Mourinho putting faith in his callow 21-year-old defensive midfielder. The Portuguese said this was with a view to lessening the influence of Argentina creator Ever Banega.
A lack of goals from either side seems to show this task was completed successfully. Yet Banega led the way for Sevilla with 10 key passes, 105 passes, 13 crosses, five accurate crosses, 12 long balls and 135 touches.
It was only profligate finishing from team-mates such as Colombia forward Luis Muriel which prevented this display being labelled as a masterclass.
In the shows of character that have defined McTominay’s nascent United career, he’s not been chastened by that night in Andalusia.
He was superb on Saturday against Liverpool, helping dominate the likes of Germany’s Emre Can. A respectable pass accuracy of 85.7 per cent was recorded, he was fouled a joint-high three times plus he made four tackles and two interceptions.
Reaching this standard is a must for McTominay once again. Banega cannot be afforded so much space a second time.
Manchester United’s midfielder Scott McTominay (l) fights for the ball with the Sevilla players.
ERIC BAILLY V LUIS MURIEL
The fact that the opener contained no goals owed much to the woeful finishing of Muriel.
The 26-year-old ex-Udinese and Sampdoria attacker had six of Sevilla’s 25 attempts on goal. In particular, a header in first-half injury time was acrobatically saved by David De Gea – but the Spain No1 should have been given no chance to utilise his incredible reflexes.
A subsequent first start since November handed out to outstanding Ivory Coast centre-back Bailly should make Muriel further rue this moment of weakness.
Bailly scored an ungainly own goal against Liverpool. Otherwise, you’d never have known he’d been out for so long.
He led the way with six interceptions and supported partner Chris Smalling with seven clearances.
His all-action style and experience of La Liga with Villarreal should mean he relishes this tie.
Also, eight clean sheets have been kept this term during his 12 appearances.
Bailly provides even more backbone to Mourinho’s mean machine.
Luis Muriel after David De Gea’s first-leg wonder save.
