With the feeling that a century has passed since the derby, Sevilla FC returns to action in one of its most beloved venues. Whether it is Montjuic or the Camp Nou, the visits of the people from Nervion to Barcelona never end in a visitor victory. It has been literally more than two decades since Seville’s team has won three points, a streak that is also hindered in other large stadiums such as the Santiago Bernabéu or the Civitas Metropolitano. This challenge does not discourage García Pimienta, who returns to what was his home for 28 years. “The statistics are there to be broken,” said the coach in the press conference prior to this duel, corresponding to matchday 10 of LaLiga. The truth is that the Sevilla coach still has to achieve the goal of winning away from Sánchez-Pizjuán. Of the nine games they have played, four have been as visitors, three of them have been tied – against Las Palmas (2-2), Mallorca (0-0) and Athletic de Bilbao (1-1) – while they have lost once, the painful defeat against Alavés (2-1). They have the motivation, now the important thing is to play a serious game against the LaLiga leader, who has only lost once so far this season. Pimienta knows the house perfectly and is aware of the rival’s strengths. Two similar styles of play, in which possession of the ball is the protagonist, whoever gets the ball will be closer to winning. Of course, Sevilla FC will also have to sharpen their aim, since, despite being one of the teams that generates the most chances thanks to their dangerous wingers, they have poor scoring statistics. One goal per game is the average for the Seville team this season, a scarce figure to continue achieving victories. After two weeks of rest, Isaac Romero’s ankle is much better and, although he retired from the derby with discomfort, his participation in Montjuic is fixed. The man from Lebrija has not yet managed to make his debut as a scorer, but it is something that does not worry him, as he stated in an interview for ABC de Sevilla. He knows that when the first one comes in “the good streak will come”, although it would be great for the team to have the unlocking come soon and continue in the right direction. For this Barcelona-Seville, Pimienta will be able to count on Djibril Sow, who has entered the squad after several weeks absent due to injury. The Swiss is destined to be a fixture in the midfield alongside Lokonga and Saúl, but sanctions and injuries have made it impossible for this scenario to still occur. However, it is unlikely that the Swiss will start as a starter, Peque is at a high level and has just made his international debut scoring, so it is very possible that Pimienta will choose to line him up at the start alongside Lokonga and Gudelj, since Agoumé is coming to compete with the French under 21. In addition, Peque is also a former Barcelona player, so it is an extra motivation for the player to have minutes in this duel. For his part, Nianzou will not be able to repeat in the center of the Sevilla defense, since he is suspended after his expulsion in the derby. In this way, Marcao is likely to take his place alongside Badé. The Brazilian has already taken off his mask after recovering from the broken nose he suffered in the duel against Getafe after a chance collision with his teammate José Ángel Carmona. The question lies in who will occupy the left back, the position that is least defined at this point in the competition. Both Valentín Barco and Adrià Pedrosa are offering good offensive contributions, but at a defensive level both have shortcomings. During the break, the Argentine full-back could be seen trying hard in the gym, and he even put himself in the hands of Marcos Acuña’s coach, his predecessor. An extra effort that Pimienta can value when making the eleven. What does seem clear is that the Catalan will continue to have his two most powerful weapons: Chedira Ejuke and Dodi Lukebakio. Currently, indispensable pieces for Pimienta’s organization chart and, even more so, against a great team like Barcelona. Probable lineups FC Barcelona Iñaki Peña; Koundé, Cubarsí, Íñigo Martínez, Balde; Eric García, Casadó, Pedri; Raphina, Lewandowski, Pau Victor. Sevilla FC Nyland; Carmona, Badé, Marcao, Barco; Lokonga, Gudelj, Peque; Lukebakio, Ejuke and Isaac. For their part, Hansi Flick’s men welcome Sevilla this Sunday with the news of Gavi’s return. Almost a year later, the player returns to the squad after completely tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. Of course, it will not start from the beginning although it is more than possible that it will take a few minutes to recover it in stages. Dani Olmo and Fermín are already in the final stretch of their recovery and are expected to also enter the list. The number of troops is growing for the German coach because to these additions we must also add that of Frenkie de Jong who, although he had already returned a few games ago, is still not at one hundred percent performance. The Barcelona eleven will be influenced by Bayern’s visit next Wednesday. Flick will have to manage his squad to give the best level in both matches and without losing sight of the visit to the Bernabéu next week. In this way, the German coach has assured that Lamine Yamal is ready to play after the discomfort he suffered with the Spanish team. The only thing that Flick clarified in the press conference prior to this duel against Sevilla is that Iñaki Peña will be the starting goalkeeper. Whatever Barcelona’s eleven is, García Pimienta’s men have the obligation to maintain the level of the last few days. Beating Barcelona at home is a highly complicated mission, even without the historic streak that Sevilla is carrying. Not in vain, the culés have had plenty of local victories in Montjuic this season and have only lost as a visitor in El Sadar against Osasuna. However, to paraphrase the Sevilla coach, the statistics are there to break. If the Nervionense team takes the field with the intention of playing one on one, they will have a chance to surprise. He already showed it in San Mamés and in the Sevillian derby, it’s just a matter of the group believing it.
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