Sevilla wants to say goodbye with a Champions smile
The people from Seville, already classified for the Europa League and with their morale hurt, visit an ‘almighty’ City without Haaland before the derby
MADRID, 1 Nov. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Sevilla visits Manchester City this Wednesday (9:00 p.m.) to close their participation in the group stage of the 2022-2023 Champions League, a ‘high-flying’ duel in which they will have the opportunity to heal their morale at the Etihad with a victory that allows him to say goodbye to the competition with a smile against one of the favorites who has already certified his place in the round of 16 as group champion, but who has not been able to win or score in his last two continental games.
With the ticket for the Europa League already in their pocket after achieving their first victory (3-0) in this Champions League the previous day, Jorge Sampaoli’s men arrive at this last day at a bad time and as a team that does not finish boot and with irregularity as the main characteristic.
Those from Nervión come from losing 0-1 against Rayo Vallecano at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán, completing a negative record at the club, since never before had they not won any of their first six home games in the League. Its status as a Europa League team allows it to go to Manchester without complexes and with nothing to lose, something that could be advantageous to face the complicated duel against City and boost morale with a high-level victory.
Located in the relegation places in LaLiga Santander, Sevilla now takes refuge in the Champions League to try to reverse a situation that is beginning to be limit. In addition, a victory would allow him to focus and face the Seville derby next Sunday with a better face. And it is that the duel in Manchester opens the ‘fantastic week’ of the Seville, since three after the aforementioned derby, in the last league match before the World Cup, they will face Real Sociedad.
In the casualties section, Sampaoli will not be able to count on Fernando and Nianzou, and he has doubts about Jesús Navas and Marcao in order to put together a guaranteed defense, although the good news is the recovery of Moroccan striker En-Nesyri.
Thus, it seems that Sampaoli will propose a four-man defense, with Gudelj and Rekik as a pair of central defenders. In the center of the field, there could be rotations thinking about the derby and the entry of less usual players such as Delaney or Suso, while up front ‘Papu’ Gómez and Dolberg are starting players.
Perhaps Manchester City is not the best rival to put an end to doubts and leave the state of depression, but its classification as first confirmed makes it less dangerous. Guardiola, without Erling Haaland -22 goals in 16 games-, would also propose rotations, although his extensive and competitive squad allows him not to be weaker by moving chips in the eleven.
In the previous European commitment, the ‘citizens’ drew 0-0 against Borussia Dortmund, a favorable result for both, who certified their presence at the crossroads. However, it was the second match without scoring in this Champions League after signing the same draw against Copenhagen, a record that Pep Guardiola’s team had never experienced in European competition.
But the return to the Etihad, after beating Leicester in the Premier in the ‘foxes’ fiefdom (0-1), seems the ideal scenario to recover the aim. The Premier League champions have scored 20 goals in their last five home games and have won their previous three games against Sevilla, scoring nine goals and conceding just two. In the first leg of the group, the English prevailed with authority (0-4) at the Sánchez-Pizjuán.
MANCHESTER CITY: Ortega; Stones, Akanji, Rúben Dias, Sergio Gómez; Bernardo Silva, Rodri, Gundogan; Mahrez, Alvarez, and Foden.
SEVILLE: Bonus; Montiel, Gudelj, Rekik, Telles; Jordan, Delaney, ‘Papu’ Gomez; Suso, Rafa Mir and Lamela.
–ARBITOR: Orel Grinfeeld (ISR).
–ESTADIO: Etihad Stadium.
–TIME: 9:00 p.m./Movistar Champions League.
