Sevilla FC 1 - 0 Atlético Madrid

Sevilla FC v Atlético Madrid: Preview

Updated: February 20, 2009, 9:24 AM UK

Sevilla are third in the standings, five points ahead of sixth-placed Atletico, and are 2-1 up after the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final against Athletic Bilbao.

But Sevilla sporting director Ramon `Monchi' Rodriguez was still forced to come out on the offensive against negative local media coverage on Wednesday, when he blamed them for some of the side's inconsistency this season.

Last Sunday's 2-0 win away to bottom club Espanyol, which required two Fredi Kanoute strikes in the last six minutes, ended a run of three consecutive league defeats.

"Objectively, our situation is much better than that which is being reported. If, after 23 matches we are third, we have to be doing something right,'' Monchi said.

"The feeling I have is that every game we play is like a final, and this isn't good. I have cried during some finals we have played, but this year I have cried in just normal games.

"This is due to the anxiety being created around the club, and we have to try to diffuse this.''

Monchi also defended the work of coach Manolo Jimenez, who has been criticised in the media and by home fans.

Jimenez has been hindered by injuries this season and suffered another blow when striker Ernesto Chevanton was ruled out for the rest of the campaign yesterday.

Defenders Fernando Navarro and Julien Escude are sidelined which means the returning Ivica Dragutinovic may be asked to step in at left-back, if he recovers in time. Brazilian frontman Luis Fabiano is an injury doubt.

Like Sevilla, Atletico have endured some tough treatment from the local media after their poor start to 2009.

Coach Javier Aguirre was sacked to be replaced by Abel Resino two weeks ago, and the new man has steered the side to a win and a draw in his first two games, after a run of seven without a victory in all competitions.

But with matches against Porto in the Champions League, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Villarreal coming up in the next three weeks, Resino's honeymoon period may not last too long.

Atletico midfielder Raul Garcia said his side were motivated to repeat the 2-1 victory at the Sanchez Pizjuan from last season, which was one of their finest performances of that campaign.

"We all know Sevilla are tough opponents especially at home, but we just have to remember what we did last year,'' he said.

"If we lose they would move eight points clear of us. We have to take the three points.''

Atletico forward Sergio Aguero became a father for the first time on Thursday, producing a grandson for Maradona, but is expected to feature with strike-partner Florent Sinama Pongolle suspended.