Sevilla the worst opponents for Real Madrid, says Butragueno

REAL Madrid have been drawn against the "worst possible opponents" in the Copa del Rey last 16, according to club director Emilio Butragueno.

The European champions will face Jorge Sampaoli's Sevilla in the two-legged tie that will take place in January, when they also meet in LaLiga.

Sevilla came close to beating Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup in August, with only a late Sergio Ramos goal forcing extra time before Dani Carvajal sealed a 3-2 win.

With Sampaoli's side having reached the last 16 of the Champions League and sitting third in the table, Butragueno is only too aware of the danger they pose.

"They are the worst possible opponents and it will be necessary for us to have maximum concentration for those ties," the Madrid director of international relations said, as quoted by Marca.

"We will have to prepare very well for the first leg because we know how difficult it is to play at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.

"The home crowd is always enthusiastic and fired up and will demand a high level of performance from their players."