By Duncan Shaw Mar 15, 2010, 8:40 GMT
Madrid - Luis Fabiano is returning from injury just in time to guide Sevilla into the quarter-finals of the European Champions League.
Sevilla - who won the UEFA Cup in 2006 and 2007 for Spain - have never managed to reach the quarter-finals of Europe's most important competition.
Two years ago Sevilla were edged out on penalties in the round of 16 by Turkey's Fenerbahce. Now they aim for the quarters again, having battled out a useful 1-1 draw away to CSKA Moscow in the first leg three weeks ago.
Leading their attack on Tuesday against the Russians will be Luis Fabiano, finally back in action after a month out with a torn pectoral muscle in his right leg.
He has spent most of February back in Brazil having the injury treated by specialists.
Luis Fabiano came off the bench at the end of Saturday's 1-1 home draw with Deportivo La Coruna - a result which leaves Sevilla fourth in La Liga. Even though he looked short of fitness and rhythm, he still livened up a sluggish attack.
'It has been a difficult season for me,' the Brazilian said, 'with one injury after another really.
'Now I just want to stay fit and play well for Sevilla and Brazil.'
If he manages to return to fitness and form, Luis Fabiano will probably lead the Brazilian attack at the World Cup finals.
He was an important element when Dunga's team won the Confederations Cup in South Africa in June 2009.
The temperamental striker, known for his explosions on the field as for his goals, has a remarkable scoring record for Brazil with 22 goals in just 33 matches.
He has been a key figure at Sevilla since joining from Porto in 2005, striking up a rich partnership with veteran Frederic Kanoute.
However, this season neither man has been on form, which has meant that Alvaro Negredo, who scored the crucial away goal in Moscow, has been the main striker for coach Manolo Jimenez.
Negredo is likely to star on Tuesday alongside Luis Fabiano, with Kanoute waiting on the subs' bench.
'We should not be over-confident against the Russians. I missed the first leg but I have heard that they are a good team,' said Luis Fabiano.
'It was painful to lose on penalties two years ago (against Fenerbahce), this time we want to go through without any problems.'
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