Sevilla wants to secure its third place and maintain its options
Those of Sampaoli receive Copenhagen tied on points, in a vital duel to access at least the Europa League
MADRID, 24 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Sevilla, already with few options to advance to the knockout stages of the continental competition, will host this Tuesday (6:45 p.m./Movistar Champions League) at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán against Copenhagen, a match with three points at stake on the penultimate day of the group stage of the Champions League essential to secure their third place, which would give access to the Europa League.
In fact, the victory would also allow to rush options for the round of 16 ticket of the top competition if Borussia Dortmund falls to Manchester City. But Jorge Sampaoli’s team has no more extra lives left to continue living the European dream. However, winning or losing could influence more to access the Europa League than to continue with hopes in ‘Champions’.
Five points separate them from Dortmund, although beating the Danes would put pressure on the runners-up. Thus, the Germans will face their duel hours later, already knowing whether they mathematically maintain their ticket to the round of 16 before facing the group leader.
Precisely, Sevilla will compete with Copenhagen, a rival that has the same points (2) in search of continuing to surprise and maintain its continental journey. Nervión will become a cauldron in a battle for the same objectives between both teams.
Sampaoli has already experienced his first setback under the orders of the Andalusian team. A defeat (3-1) against Real Madrid that stops the ‘effect’ of the Argentine coach. Since his arrival, after the dismissal of Julen Lopetegui, he had collected three draws and a win against Mallorca. Some ‘green shoots’ that appeared for the first time against Dortmund and who want to continue improving in their first ‘final’ in the Champions League.
For the match, Sevilla will still be without Fernando Reges, while Marcos Acuña and Rekik are back. The goalkeeper Yassine Bono has also entered the call, although it is doubtful due to the lack of medical tests.
Joan Jordán points to eleven in midfield, after reducing the madridista burden on the last day. A good performance that has earned him the praise of his coach. “He took a big step by playing a lot of minutes at that point,” he commented.
The big doubt is in the defensive back after the essential loss of Nianzou. A line that could return to two centrals -instead of three- to have more options in a hypothetical attack with Dolberg as a reference. In bands, the Argentines ‘Papu’ Gómez and Erik Lamela could accompany the Dane.
For its part, Copenhagen has only won two games since September. A team paid to draw in their last three league duels and another valuable in ‘Champions’ against City. Despite this, his lack of regularity also affected him in the Danish Cup, losing the title on penalties. A negative dynamic that they want to put an end to in Nervión.
SEVILLE: Bonus; Montiel, Gudelj, Marcao, Telles; Isco, Iván Rakitic, Joan Jordán, Erik Lamela, Jesús Navas and Dolberg.
COPENHAGEN: Grabara; Kristensen, Khocholava, Lund, Kristiansen; Falk, Lerager, Claesson; Bardghji, Haraldsson and Daramy.
–REFEREE: Benoît Bastien (FRA).
–STADIUM: Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán.
–TIME: 6:45 p.m./Movistar Champions League.
