Hey, did you guys catch that game at mid-week? Sevilla got its first win in four games, notched their second win in January, AND scored more goals than they’d managed in all of January, a streak of five games in which the team managed only two goals. (TWO GOALS! For the WHOLE MONTH until Wednesday!).
Well, this weekend Unai hosts Granada looking to build on the momentum from that game (or at least, the closest thing to momentum Sevilla has seen this season since that win over Real Madrid back in week 3). This is, once again, the sort of match Sevilla shouldn’t have trouble with: a home match with a relatively newly-promoted side wallowing in the relegation battle, averaging less than a goal a game, with only five wins to its name. But Sevilla didn’t become a middle-of-the-table side with a recently fired manager by winning games like these! No sir! The club finds ways to lose these games, to barely draw them, to snatch disappointment from the jaws of success. It’s been the immutable aspect of the season.
But what happens when this immovable object meets the…theoretically-existant-but-as-yet-unconfirmed unstoppable force of Sevilla’s newfound goalscoring power and winning ways? I DON’T KNOW!!! Tune in tomorrow afternoon to see! And of course let us know our thoughts before, during, and after the match!
Meant to mention somewhere in the preview that the biggest story of this game might well be that it’s 3 days before the first leg of the CdR semifinal with Atleti. Might Emery sit any important players? We’re only 10 points away from Europe (would be 7 with a win) with plenty of games to go, but on the other hand…Falcao is probably giving whoever ends up being our keeper this week nightmares already. So…I’m not sure what’ll happen, or what I’d like to see. You guys?
very annoying scheduling that we have a monday game in a week with CdR. that’s pretty bullshit.
great preview. i wouldnt mind seeing a conservative lineup out there. rest guys who we really want for atletico. falcao didnt even play for atletico today. and they got bitch slaped. maybe we can hope for that being some negative momentum for them? i assume that is too much wishful thinking.
lets go sevilla!
Bit over-enthousiastic maybe? Haha, no I mean, we played against 10 men, and later that game even against 9. No shit, we can score goals then. It was nice to see some goals and good play tho, but the circumstances during that game helped us pretty much. Nonetheless I’m confident in tomorrows game and what I normally don’t do look ahead for the cupmatch because I think our chances are reasonable (50/50). And If Falcao needs another week of rest with his hamstring, it’s only a positive factor for us in a very important away-game. If we win tomorrow our flow will be rising, and that 3-0 loss they took today in Atlético won’t give them to much confidence.
Might have been over-enthusiastic if it wasn’t about 50% tongue in cheek, but sometimes his wit is hard to pick up on. : )
The positive of Atleti tanking today is that they aren’t still soaring. The negative is that they’ll feel more keenly that they have something to prove with us. Hmm. Hope to see Camapña at least once in the next three. Negredo needs to step up in these two CdR matches
Palop is out, Julián will play tonight.
Sevilla squad as follows:
Julián, Sergio Rico, Fazio, Fernando Navarro, Spahic, Navas, Medel, Negredo, Rakitic, Maduro, Manu del Moral, Stevanovic, Reyes, Babá, Cicinho, Kondogbia, Coke y Botía.
What are the chances of Julián getting injured in tonight’s game?
Hmm… After some calculations I concluded that the chance of Julián getting injured is exactly equal to the chance that Fernando Navarro will score a screamer from 30 meters right into the top corner with the outside of his right foot! I also heard Reyes has high diving abilities so he might be a quality goalkeeper…
Then Di María is surely the best goalie in the world
Thinking more, maybe if Julián was sent off it would cause more problems. Dani Jiménez is with Mirandes so that leaves Sevilla Athletic with only Sergio Rico. If Julián were sent off, then both Sevilla and Sevilla Athletic would have to borrow a goalkeeper from Sevilla C (who would then be down to just 1 keeper, and have to ……… from Sevilla juvenile).
Transfer window shuts inside 4 days, my bet is they’ll buy Roberto.
I’m sure that Sevilla will win tonight, convincingly. 3-0
Julián to save a penalty.
I may have misunderstood the following, but here goes: if we manage to reach the finale of Copa del Rey, we get to play in Europe next season. Since Barca or Real Madrid will be the opponent in the finale and they (problably) qualify to Europe through their position in the league, the runner-up gets the Europe-place from Copa del Rey. That would be awesome(!) if Sevilla just reached the final. Therefor i hope Emery will rest some keyplayers tonight, ’cause the Copa just got way more interesting
You’re absolutely right. Those two games decide pretty much if this season is a wasted one or not. So it’s the shortest route to Europe. But… even withouth the spot in the finale I think we’re not ruled out yet for the 7th place in La liga, or maybe 6th when Malaga doesn’t stay in those spots.
I believe that to be true, but it may be the case that we have already qualified for EUFA because Madrid Barca and Atléti are going to qualify for Shempions League.
I think it only about the final, so if both finalist already got it none of the semi-finalist get it but they go over to the fairplay-cup in the league. So who got the least amount of cards, and because we already got 8 red we’ll never win that ticket via the fairplay table. So we HAVE to reach the final…
You’re right Skallum, I remember now, when someone mentioned EUFA I immediately started to hallucinate and strange thoughts entered my imagination.
Well, I’m no big fan of Roberto to be honoust, Knew him since he was at Benfica and he makes to much unforced errors. But as you said, they invested the profit from Diego Lopez, in buying the other half of Gary Medel’s rights. So I dunno if they gonna buy a new keeper, I named earlier Andres Fernandes would me my option. Let’s hope it’s not needed, and that Julían turns out to be good enough for the first team that would be amazing.
I’m hoping Julian plays well tonight. What would it cost to call Varas back from Celta?
I don’t think we can. I’m pretty sure that there is no such clausul(?) in his contract
Right, I’m off to Nervion.
you’re watching the game live? awesome! check in!!! REPORT WHAT YOU SEE!!!!!!
Julián; Cicinho, Spahic, Fazio, Navarro; Kondogbia, Medel, Rakitic; Navas, Reyes & Negredo
I’m Ready! C’mon Sevilla!!
Looking from the south, the turnout looks better than I originally thought
I hear the spanish commentator talking about Europa League and Semi-Finals Copa… Maybe it’s true what MessiRonaldo said.
Great pressure so far. They’ve been out of their half twice 6′
Huuuuuyyyyyy Reyes from 40m forces a diving save and corner
Hiuuuuuyyyy Navarro’s open header goes wide
7′
Jeez great first minutes!
Fazio great opportunity hits it just wide!
Incredible pressure now. We are pinning them so deep. Great combo passes. Just needs a goal.
Hhhuuuuyyyyy Fazio couldn’t turn that reflex shot on goal! 9′
Domination
Hmmm… Julián’s kicking is not very good tho…
Huuuuyyyy Another reflex shot in front that we can’t react to fast enough. This time Negredo was fed by Reyes 14′
Also very dangerous corner’s (maybe 5) in the first 15 minutes
Kondogbia playing like a monster! Just Amazing
Yellow for Reyes. Hard to understand. Commentators also confused 21′
Free kick for Granada
Wild play in the box. Keep came out, couldn’t get a shot off. Still dominating and moving through midfield at will
23′
I must say Reyes is playing excellently on the left with raki and Navarro
Oeehh Counter with Navas and Reyes, but it was to obvious what Navas wanted should have maybe waited for help.
Good play Granada, with some lucky bounces still
We are showing a frantic press all over the field. Granada hasn’t handled it, but the longer this score stays the more confidence Granada will build
27′
GOL MY HERO GEOFFREY KONDOGBIA!!!! C’mon!!!!!
Ggggoooooooooooollllll Kondogbiaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
32′
Glanced header off our 5th corner
Ohhoooooohoooooo Kondogbia scoring his first Sevilla goal and a nice one!
Dirty kick from Irriney at Kondogbia’s foot, he’s injured…
Kondogbia goes down on the next play. Ref was watching, commentator calls it a clear penalty. He’s bein helpe to limp off
Shit
Seems to be back out there tho I see a slight limp
What a skill from Jesus Navas, so close!
what energy by the RSP crowd!
Loving every minute!
can’t believe i’m missing this, but glad you guys are filling me in! keep it up, and keep it up sevillllllllllllaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HT. Great half and spirit from sevilla. Fans are vocally pleased
Half-time: Our play deserved more then again only a corner-goal. Hope Kondogbia is alright, or else they better swap Maduro in to make sure he’ll be alright and gets some rest.
please keep up the updates! annoyed i have to be in class…
aside from a weak boot, has julian given any indication of capability? at least to get us through the midweek match?
He bounced a shot right above his head back in play, that was the only save. Hope he gets the clean sheet and gets more confortable on his kicking.
wow. just saw the replay. gorgeous goal. also fazio’s nice header off a corner was on the only inswinger of the corners that ive seen. very very dangerous play. who was commenting on that earlier? interesting to keep an eye on…
Kondogbia is there for half 2
Still controlling this match so far into this half 51′
We’re close to getting caught by a counter these last couple minutes
Gary gets a brutal elbow to the temple. Yellow for their guy. That’s what you get for challenging a short guy to a header
56′
Wish we’d score again to have a calmer final 30. 58′
We’re less dominant as the first half.
We’ve had two (1 clear) penalty shouts now. Cicinho is dragged down from behind after he beat both men
63′
Granada’s ramping up the press and we’re not being sharp enough to punish them, yet
Goooooooolllllllll Negredoooooooooooooooooooo
71′
Navarro and Raki bypass their men and the cross into the center is a slam dunk for the big man
ÁLVAROOOO NEGREDOOOO!!! GoOOaal!!! 2-0! Vamos, here we go that’s what we needed!
Rakitic through on the leftside, perfect cross with his left foot, Negredo heads it diagonally home.
That’s two assists for Raki. The whole front 6 have been in excellent form tonight
Gary MEDEL!!! GOLLLLLLLL! YEH stayed calm and finished nicely! 3-0! Atlético here we come!
Gggooooooooolllllllll MEDELLLLLLLL
75′
The practiced play for Negredo off the corner didn’t work but it left Medel all alone at the back post to poke home
Our effectiveness from corners is unbelievably high, always helps a lot.
Negredo for Maduro
77′
Navas an Cicinho have definitely got their mojo back. They’ve been running circles around the right side all night
Stevanovic for Rakitic
Lots of cheers
82′
Huuuuuyyyy Kondogbia almost gets a second with another glancing header from another free kick. He has a nose for it tonight
84′
Kondogbia turns aaaaanother one on goal. Guy’s doing work today
89′
Ouch, wish Granada would stop standing on Navas’s ankles
Counter with Stefanovic, perfect throughpass to Navas, coudn’t finish it off
FT. 3-0 3pts
Yes! Who’s your Man of the Match? I would have to say it was Kondogbia. Not only does he score, he starts several of the chances with great balls.
Fazio playing very good aswell, maybe goes unnoticed but he does very good work these days. Also Rakitic played strong as well, but Our Main Man Kondogbia deserves to be MOTM for sure. Can’t say to much bad haha, Cicinho and Navas were excellent, Medel did a good job. Navarro very decent just as Spahic. Then Negredo picks up his goal, can’t complain to much right?
Julíán Cuesta was okay, didn’t get a lot of work to do tho.
Looking muchbetter, as I saw one of you expected it’s 3-0
Well deserved almost didn’t get in trouble, still two corner goals who helped us very much but another win, and still unbeaten since Emery is here.
Hi Skallum, I got one prediction right when I said
“I’m sure that Sevilla will win tonight, convincingly. 3-0
Julián to save a penalty.”
I haven’t seen the replay yet but – did I see a very clear penalty when Cicinho was brought down in the area? There was another penalty claim from Cicinho in the second half but I didn’t see anything.
Zero help from the ref once again.
Sevilla played with the heart instead of the head, we must get more disciplined, so much indisipline, Fernando Navarro fluffed a throw-in, Reyes got yellow carded for being a fool.
Once again we fail in our style of play yet score from corners, Navas was awesome – the overhead kick gave me a coughing attack. Kondogbia was awesome too. Negredo didn’t participate apart from the goal, he was slow and behind the play, he wasn’t even fast enough to be caught offside, Negredo is carrying an injury I believe.
I don’t think we failed in our style of play. I’m curious as to what that means?
Sure, we scored from two corners but we owned all 90 minutes–and not in our usual kind of possession that lulls you to sleep–we overran them with a fluid, varied attack. We harassed them endlessly with high press and had multiple quality chances from free play that might have been goals on any other day (I’m thinking Negredo’s shot/whiff, Navas’s multiple touch-line low crosses, Cicinho’s runs/no calls). Navas and Cicinho brought the biz and we slid through midfield with ease thanks to Kondogbia, Medel and Raki as well as some timely step-ups from Fazio.
I saw a team in Granada defending against a three-front assault. There was actual play and movement directed in the middle at the top of the box on multiple occasions! We haven’t seen that much of it for a few years to my memory. Reyes seems to be turning a corner or opening a new chapter or some kind of molting metaphor because the guy is getting lethal, smarter and much more unpredictable. Today’s work with Navarro and Rakitic made Dalí style melting knee-puddles out of the right side of Granada’s D.
I’d be interested to hear what you mean by failing in our style besides the corner goals, because I’d like us to play that style forever. : )
I tend to agree with Aaron here. If Sevilla is going with this 4-2-3-1 type lineup, then today’s game was exactly how they should play in this scheme. Aggressive, ball winning futbol.
Hi Aaron, The style is Navas to Kanoute, but unfortunately times have moved on:-). We are left passing the ball wing to wing, via the back four (boring, useless and predictable). The left wing is null, the right wing occasionally gets the ball onto the head of Negredo. It’s not much of a style to counter – and football is highly studied now so our opponents are easily prepared to counter our style.
When we get a set piece the style doesn’t apply and we score a healthy number of goals. The goals we are getting from corners are thanks to Míchel.
The highly aggressive hounding for possession is another facet that we have seen against RMadrid, Betis and Granada but not in all the other games. I hope it becomes part of our new makeup, and from Negredo’s comments it sounds like it will, but it’s dangerous to over-combust the players. Play must go through the middle as well as the wings, a TOP side must have all the armoury to compete at the highest level. At 2-0 the confidence started to return and we started to see some play through the middle but whenever they are nervous they revert to the easiest option which is the useless wing to wing robotics.
I’m sure Emery must recognize the problem but it’s hard to change players instincts.
That makes sense, Tim. Got it!
Not full true in my opinion. Unai Emery is a great tactical manager, he reads the football and the situations, and by just doing little adjustments our play has improved radically if you compare it with Míchel. It looks to me, like Míchel just made a line up in a certain formation and was like and now we going to play full press everywhere on the pitch, play with our wingers wide and try to be dominant to win games. There was not enough thinking behind it and that’s what Emery brings us.
Things I noticed since Emery is here:
Fazio and Botía walking up the pitch more, So the opponent has to choose who’s going to cover the upcomming man? That’s how someone from our side can get a free position and increases our play. When F.Navarro has got the ball on left-back, at the side line, Reyes comes a few meters inside (gets free from the defender) and Rakitic shows up to immediately help Reyes out, They’re thinking ahead now. In that situation if their rightback follows Reyes, Rakitic can move in the gap the rightback leaves us, and so on. Reyes is less isolated thanks to this, Something that annoyed me big time, when Míchel was here. Rakitic can do the same at Navas his side, but it’s not so much needed because Cicinho’s always there. So if we could have another ‘Cicinho’ on the left back side as in the old days, It would be amazing. The defensive midfielders can stay behind, and at the side where the left- or rightback is going in attack, the other left- or rightback should stay more in defense. That’s what makes a diverse style of attack.
With Emery we conceded only 1 goal (even a freekick, Palop’s fault) in four games and we scored 8 goals, pretty nice stats. A good Defence is something you can build on. This brings me to another point which we had quiet a lot under Míchel, we conceded a lot of times quiet early in the game, thanks to shaky defending (and the ref’s, but still) Then there lies more pressure on our players, like we HAVE to get back in this game, AGAIN! That creates a negative flow. So as long as we keep it solid in our back, I’m convinced we’ll score a goal every game and win a heck of a lot games.
Game highlights show 2 Granada attacks (both from open play), 9 Sevilla attacks (1 long range shot, 1 open play goal, 5 corners, 2 penalties)
Replay makers skipped Sevilla’s 4-5 open play chances from the first 20 minutes. Truth.
We got a new Goalie: Przemyslaw Tyton, PSV Eindhoven Dutch league, on a loan-deal for half a year. I know him from the dutch league, and he lost his spot in the first team because his comeback after an injury wasn’t great and made some errors so they swapped with keeper. But if he can get his good form back, he’s quiet a good keeper with amazing reflexes.
Hope that (posttraumatic stress) Injury didn’t get the better of him, because he came in a frontal collision with a striker at very high speed and was out of the running for long time. So when he returned he was a bit afraid of when he should come out and when to stay in goal. But we’ll see what happens it’s even possible he starts thursday in Vincente Calderon
Wait maybe not, Also said Beto from Portugese club SC Braga.
Beto? Sure he’s not Betico?
Maybe he mixed up which club from Sevilla he wanted to sign for?
Conceded 33 goals in 22 games this season, well he’s on loan with option to buy, that’s OK. I hope the boy comes good, but even more I hope we don’t need to put him to the test. Let’s hope Palop recovers and maybe we can rest Palop in the games with high wind!
Oh I hope there’s no truth in the Fazio to Zenit rumour Marca are reporting. Diego Lopez moving didn’t really hurt that much since he hasn’t been in the squad long, but Fazio, noooo!