Sevilla wants to consummate its change of course in Copenhagen
Lopetegui’s men arrive with calmer spirits after their first victory of the season
MADRID, 13 Sep. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Sevilla FC will face Copenhagen this Wednesday at the Parken Stadion (9:00 p.m./Movistar Champions League), on the second day of the Champions League group stage, with the possibility of completing their change of course after their first victory in LaLiga that calmed the spirits of the Nervionenses in a reprehensible course premiere.
Lopetegui’s team arrive with calmer spirits after rediscovering positive feelings against Espanyol. A vital triumph that gave oxygen to a team in the doldrums and that hopes to maintain optimism in the highest European competition. And the night to do it is Wednesday, against the most affordable rival for Seville if they want to fight against Manchster City and Borrussia Dortmund to go to the next round.
In the first acid test, Sevilla were not up to a City led by their Scandinavian star Erling Haalad, who punished the Spanish team with two goals, without gunpowder in attack in his umpteenth stumble of the campaign. The four lashes they received served as a reaction for a team – with a whistle from the fans at the end of the match – bottom of Group G, who lead the ‘citizens’ ahead of Dortmund, who defeated Copenhagen (3-0).
Now, already on the long-awaited path to victory, they will try to consolidate the change of course against the Danes, who returned to the Champions League this year, after not stepping on it since 2016-17. Thus, Copenhagen, with little to lose and much to gain, aware of their few options in a group of such caliber, will try to surprise Sevilla, the ideal rival at the moment after their uncertainty since the beginning of the season.
For the duel, Lopetegui still won’t be able to count on Marcao and brings back Alejandro ‘Papu’ Gómez, the main novelty on the list after overcoming his physical discomfort in the Sevilla victory at the RCDE Stadium. In fact, the Argentine midfielder surprised Guardiola’s team from the start by being the main offensive reference along with Isco, an eleven without a pure ‘nine’ that this time will have En-Nesyri,
The Moroccan gave the team more legs, energy and physical capacity for both profiles. A task that he complemented with Erik Lamela and that worked to take the first win. Both will once again lead the attack accompanied by ‘Papu’ and Isco, while the solidity in midfield will be marked by Fernando and Delaney. Behind, José Angel Carmona will consolidate the right lane after his two goals that were worth three points. Next to him, the line will be formed by Gudelj, Nianzou and Acuña.
For their part, Copenhagen hopes to turn their stadium into their fortress, as happened in the group stage of the 2016/17 Champions League, where they didn’t concede a single goal at home, with one win and two draws. However, the Danes arrive with two consecutive defeats and with doubts in the League, in sixth position with four wins and five losses.
Coached by Jess Thorup, the Danish champions eliminated Turkish Trabzonspor in the last qualifying round, displaying offensive football and without speculation, although now they will be without Spanish Pep Biel, who left the team on his way to Olympiacos.
It does have in its ranks an old acquaintance of the Spanish fans like the Australian Matt Ryan, who defended the goal for Valencia and Real Sociedad. On the part of the sevillista team, Delaney is the only player with a past in the Danish team.
COPENHAGEN: Ryan; Dix, Vavro, Khocholava, Christiansen; Falk, Zeca, Lerager; Claesson, Cornelius and Daramy.
SEVILLE: Bounou; Carmona, Gudelj, Nianzou, Acuna; Ferdinand, Delaney; Lamela, Papu Gomez, Isco; and En-Nesyri.
–ARBITRO: Irfan Peljto (Bih).
–STADIUM: Parken in Copenhagen.
–TIME: 9:00 p.m. (Movistar Champions League).
