I want to win for Sevilla but also for City
JESUS NAVAS has extra motivation for wanting to knock Manchester United out of the Champions League.
Sevilla host United in the first leg of their last 16 tie on Wednesday and Navas knows his old club Man City will be desperate for him to help dump Jose Mourinho’s side out.
Navas spent four successful years at City, winning the Premier League and two League Cups before returning to his hometown club Sevilla last summer.
And the 32-year-old winger knows he will be celebrated by Etihad fans once again if he can help Sevilla slam the door shut on local rivals United.
Navas said: “For us it’s all about getting through to the next round. But I know it would be nice for some of the friends I’ve got back in Manchester if we did manage to pull it off and knock out United.
“If people underestimate us they should look at what we’re doing, our performances, the fact we’ve got to a final already and we’re still in all of the competitions.
“We’re a great side and we can also do things and achieve things.
“But now this is a really important game for Sevilla, for the club, for our fans and it would be great for us to make it to the quarter-finals.
“We know we’ll have to be at our maximum level throughout both games because at any moment a top team like United can finish the tie.
“United also have some important games coming up starting with us. But hopefully we’re going to be able to stand in their way.”
Since returning to Sevilla, Navas has helped them reach the Copa Del Rey Final against Barcelona and the Champions League last 16.
Former boss Eduardo Berizzo – who had just undergone treatment for prostate cancer – was sacked before Christmas after a poor run with Vincenzo Montella having got Sevilla back on track.
Navas, at right-back for Saturday’s 2-1 win over Las Palmas, added: “We’ve found that right dynamic at the moment. We’re going well so we’re happy.”