Basel and Sevilla played out a goalless draw in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie this evening.

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Sevilla, who have won the competition the last two years, will be confident returning home, although their hopes were dented slightly when Steven N'Zonzi was sent off late on for two yellow cards.

Chances were few and far between in the first half at St Jakob Park, with Marc Janko heading wide the clearest opening after just six minutes.

Birkir Bjarnason then blazed over for the hosts not long after the restart before Sevilla began to up the tempo and chase an away goal.

N'Zonzi and Yevhen Konoplyanka both went close before N'Zonzi was sent off by English referee Anthony Taylor in the 87th minute.

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The return leg takes place in a week's time at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.