Matchday 7
Sevilla, with Lopetegui on the wire, receive an Atlético that needs the victory so as not to continue losing camber after their defeat in the derby
High-altitude clash at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, although between two teams at low hours. Sevilla, with Julen Lopetegui on the wire due to the poor run of results that has set the Seville parish on fire, receives an Atlético team that also attends the appointment loaded with emergencies. The defeat in the derby played at the Metropolitano just before the national team break put the rojiblanco team between a rock and a hard place. Eight points behind Real Madrid and six behind Barça, Diego Pablo Simeone’s team needs a win so as not to lose any more in the fight for the League. But to do so he will have to storm a stadium where victory has been elusive for the last four seasons and get past a manager whose defeat could cost him his job.
«The only thing I fear is not getting the three points in each game. I have been working here for more than three years, I know a little about what there is », asserted in the previous Lopetegui, who, despite the criticism, remains faithful to his idea. «The only way to achieve results is to believe in what you do more than ever, insist, be constant and focus on what is in your control. Now we only have Atlético de Madrid in front of us. Day by day, match by match. It is not possible to think of anything other than that », stressed the Gipuzkoan coach, who estimates that his team « is working well and consolidating a way of competing ».
After opening the campaign with four defeats in the first five official matches, Sevilla began to show certain signs of improvement immediately before the break, beating Espanyol away from home and drawing with Copenhagen in the Champions League and with Villarreal on the last league date before taking a necessary pause to clear the mind. But the spirits of the fans remain unsettled and a new setback could give Lopetegui the final straw.
For this reason, the Sevilla coach implored the support of the stands to face “a great team, with a squad made to win the Champions League” in better conditions. «I always want to have my people with me, those who never let us down and give us extra encouragement. Winning is always important and it makes it easier to grow from victory”, argued the Basque, who is recovering Lamela and will continue the youth squad Carmona and Kike Salas at the rear. Danish Dohlberg, who ended a seven-month scoring drought against France, is fighting En-Nesyri to make his way up front.
red and white safety belt
On the visiting side, the good news is the return of Savic and Giménez. The physical problems of their two highest-ranking central defenders have taken their toll on Simeone’s team, who had to delay Witsel to cover holes in the rearguard. The return of the Montenegrin and the Uruguayan will allow Cholo to advance the position of the Belgian, although it remains to be determined whether he will opt for a more classic 4-4-2 or send with a 4-1-4-1, a system with which he has experimented over week.
This last drawing would leave the lead in the hands of Morata, who returned to vindicate himself with the Spanish team, or Joao Félix, again inconsequential with Portugal. Simeone, who has lost Reguilón, due to injury, and Mario Hermoso, due to suspension, is still waiting for the Portuguese to step forward. «The club, the people and we as a team have the illusion of seeing the best Joao Félix. He will depend on what he can give, “said the Argentine, who is also under scrutiny.
Likely lineups
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Seville:
Bono, Carmona, Kike Salas, Gudelj, Alex Telles, Fernando, Jordán, Óliver Torres, Lamela, Dohlberg and Isco. -
Athletic:
Oblak, Nahuel Molina, Savic, Giménez, Reinildo, Witsel, Correa, Koke, Saúl, Carrasco and Morata. -
Referee:
From Burgos Bengoetxea (Basque Committee). -
Hour:
6:30 p.m. -
Stadium:
Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan. -
TV:
DAZN.
#Emergency #duel #Pizjuán