Seville (Spain), Aug 7 (IANS): Sevilla coach Unai Emery has said his team's UEFA Super Cup final opponent FC Barcelona are "possibly the best team in the world, that are always at a high competitive level" and they are "favourites" to win the title this season.

Emery also has words of encouragement for his side saying this season's Sevilla squad that has reached the UEFA Super Cup final is "better" than the one last year, when they lost 0-2 in Cardiff against Real Madrid.

Despite the difficulty, Emery said during a press conference that the upcoming continental final "invites us to lay the foundation for an important season," reports Efe.

The team will travel to Athens on Friday for a friendly against AEK on Saturday, a stopover on the way to Tbilisi for the Super Cup on August 11.

In last year's UEFA Super Cup final against Real Madrid, Sevilla did not play "in the conditions" they would have liked, Emery said, adding, "Alberto Moreno was sold the day before, Gameiro was injured, Bacca went to play with his national team... many factors that weren't ideal."

Emery stressed, however, that this year his squad has "done more" and is "better prepared," while admitting that Argentine international Ever Banega "arrived late" and that "some signings haven't got used to everything due to injuries."