Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata has insisted that he is "absolutely focused" on Wednesday's Champions League clash with Sevilla.
Mata found himself embroiled in the debate over VAR at the weekend when his goal was disallowed for a marginal offside call, and he also has the prospect of a return to face former club Chelsea in the Premier League next weekend to look forward to.
However, the Spaniard is first and foremost "excited" to return to his home country, with the first leg of their last-16 clash taking place at the Sanchez Pizjuan on Wednesday night.
"The Champions League is back and there's a special atmosphere around here because all of us are really looking forward to having a good performance in this great tournament. I'm especially excited about playing in my country again, at the Sanchez Pizjuan, a major stadium where the local team always gets big support," Mata wrote in his weekly blog on United's official website.
"I hope that we can see a great football game, and that we get a good score for the second leg at Old Trafford, in front of our crowd. This week is a very important one, because after Sevilla we will be facing Chelsea. It's a big game for many reasons and very special for me. It will always be.
"It's one of the most difficult games of the season and a good opportunity to bring joy to our fans, although right now, I insist, we are absolutely focused on the Champions League against Sevilla. They were, by the way, one of the teams in the top part of La Liga's table that won this weekend. Actually, all of them did: Barcelona, Atletico, Valencia and Real Madrid too. The championship is very much alive and the fight for the European spots is going to be quite nice until the end."
United will welcome Sevilla back to Old Trafford for the second leg on March 13.
Barney Corkhill
