Sevilla’s challenge continues

Alavés and Seville try to search today in Mendizorroza a happy ledge to cling to. Each with their goal. In the case of the Nervionenses, to continue in the fight for the league title, to put pressure on Madrid, staying momentarily three points behind the leader. And in that of the albiazules, for maintaining the hope of salvation, approaching one of Granada, which marks salvation (follow the match live on As.com).

El Glorioso is adding fewer points than it is deserving for sensations. Against Getafe, for example, only two ‘impossible’ goals from Ünal allowed the draw to two. Mendilibar insists on his philosophy, he works hard with the players, but then the results do not correspond to the capabilities shown. Glorioso’s problem, moreover, is being away from home because in Mendizorroza they are putting on good games. But Sevilla are a fearsome rival and we will have to see which team is in control of the match.

Loum, key in the Babazorro midfield, will be low for a cycle of five yellow cards. Either Pons will replace him or he will go from 4-1-4-1 to 4-4-2, which is the system that the Zaldibar coach really likes. But the trivote in the spinal cord offers more guarantees if we talk about solidity. This circumstance, for example, is separating Vallejo from the starting elevens since Joselu is unquestionable up front. The other winter signings (Tenaglia, Escalante and Jason) already have control in place. Well, Edgar can steal the last one’s wallet at any given moment. In Getafe, for example, he stood out.

The Canarian left with discomfort, as did Tomás Pina, who has missed some training with his teammates this week. In fact, the man from La Mancha is the second casualty and Martín, the third due to gastric discomfort. He has had severe diarrhea and has even been forced to go to the hospital. The casualties accumulate, therefore, in the center of the field, a very sensitive area for the albiazul team. This circumstance will allow John Guidetti and Saúl García to return to the team’s call. 100% returns in the capacity of the field, the first stadium in Spain to experience that decision.

Lopetegui’s team appears emotionally and sportingly relaunched after their convincing victory last Sunday at the Sánchez-Pizjuán in the derby against Betis, which left them six points behind the leader Real Madrid and with a cushion of eight precisely over the Verdiblancos , his ‘eternal rival’. If at home they are an irreducible team, at home they present some weakness: they have chained the last three trips without winning, although they have not lost either. That yes, his last defeat in the League away from Seville dates back to the 2-1 conceded at the Santiago Bernabéu on November 28.

Lopetegui continues to deal with injury problems, COVID, sanctions and even calls for players for his national teams. On Sunday against Betis he lost ‘Papu’ Gómez due to injury and Diego Carlos also suffered from his ailments. Fernando has also fallen in battle. Navas has recovered for the right side after three and a half months absent due to physical deficiencies. Lamela has returned to work with the group this week, but his return to the team is still hasty and Martial is in a similar situation. He has returned to the team these days, but did not enter the summons. Rekik and Suso are the clearest casualties. At least Koundé and Ocampos return after the sanction.