Aviles steeled for Spurs test

Sevilla full-back Daniel Alves admits “there is no time to breathe” as the Spanish side prepare for their crucial UEFA Cup quarter-final second-leg against Tottenham this week.

The Andalusian side head for north London on the back of a disappointing goalless draw with Racing Santander last night, which cost them the opportunity to replace Barcelona at the top of La Liga.

However the highly-coveted Brazil international is keen to look forward to European action.

“We know that we have allowed a great opportunity to escape from us and we hope to have another chance to get to the top,” said Alves.

“We still have nine games left and we will continue to fight until the end.”

Sevilla, the reigning UEFA Cup champions, hold a slim 2-1 lead from last week’s first leg at home, and Alves is anticipating a tough challenge in London.

“There is no time to breathe and we have to change this situation. (The Spurs game) will be a difficult battle, but if we want to get to the final we have to get past this difficulty,” said Alves, who dismissed suggestions he is running out of steam as Sevilla chase honours on three fronts.

The highly-rated full-back has not looked at the top of his game in recent times, but Alves insisted: “I am not tired.

“Some days are good, some days are not so good. All my life I have dreamed about playing 100 games a year and if I play 50 or 60 that is also good, but I always want to play,” he added on his club’s website.

“I want to play, play and play and some days I will be less effective than others, but I will never lack fight.”