Venue : Camp Nou, BarcelonaA regular follower of any league is accustomed to taking delight in big encounters between the top clubs as they turn up during the course of the season. The arrangement instituted by the Spanish League authorities where all such encounters are played within the space of 4 weeks creating a minileague of sorts is unusual to say the least and downright inconvenient when they also coincide with the final stages of European competition. Still, as it is, the last few weeks are a treat in store for Barça fans who have the opportunity to watch their team make the final push for glory through the most taxing schedule possible.
The minileague restarted last week when Sevilla took on Valencia and lost 3-1 in a heated encounter. Barça established their superiority by winning all the matches in the minileague in the first phase of the season, starting with a 3 - 0 rout of Sevilla (including a Messi special) at the Rámon Sánchez Pizjuán. They took away 12 points from the 4 matches, scoring 11 goals and conceding only 1, against Sevilla, Valencia, Madrid and Villareal. By comparison, Sevilla got 7 points and Madrid 6 from these games.
Manolo Jimenez’s dour and defensive tactics have withstood much abuse by Sevilla fans and taken them to 3rd in the standings with a lead cut to 5 points after the loss to Valencia. They are 15 points behind Madrid but seem likely to see European football next season. Sevilla have a good away record with half their points and goals scored coming away from home. After the loss in the Seville derby to Betis they went on a run of 6 wins and 1 draw before losing to Getafe and Valencia. The 44 goals they have scored however is the worst offensive record among the top 6 teams.
Sevilla are heavily dependent on Freddi Kanoute for their offense. In the offensive build up, Kanoute drops deep in to midfield(into the Yaya Zone) to hold up the ball and redistribute it to the flanks. Kanoute’s intelligence and physical presence make it difficult to steal the ball from him. Guardiola in the first leg, hence used Keita to try and curb the distribution to the flanks and he may very well use the same tactic again.
Jimenez has shifted from his earlier traditional true wingers formation to a more fluid one by removing the left winger and allowing Navas the freedom of both wings. Renato operates in a creative role behind the strikers while the impressive Perotti, recently promoted from the Sevilla Athletic squad, turns up in the box to score goals. Diego Capel of the giddying runs is relegated to the bench while Adriano has been shifted to a full-back position where Sevilla are yet to find an adequate replacement for Dani Alves.
The heated Valencia game means that Adriano and GK Palop are suspended. Javi Varas who had one start in the league against Numancia so far this season will line up in goal while Jimenez may have to revert back to using Mosquera at right back. The leaden footed Mosquera is likely to face more problems with the tricky Iniesta rather than Henry who has started to shade more to the centre in recent games. The right full-back position is Sevilla’s weakest link in defence and Guardiola will look to target it.
Abidal may be expected back in the line-up for Barça to deal with Jesus Navas. Navas is an intelligent winger who does not attempt to beat his marker every time, before he delivers his cross. His crosses are thus often low or early but Kanoute and Fabiano are savvy to this type of service. Playing Fabiano and Kanoute together will complicate things for Barça’s defence when handling Navas’ crosses besides also allowing Sevilla to keep the Barça defensive line deep, when Kanoute drops into midfield. Jimenez has indicated that he does not think it is possible to win at the Camp Nou by parking the bus and playing on the counter yet, it will be unexpected from him to line up 2 strikers rather than 5 across the midfield.
One of the 3 centre-backs might have to drop to the bench for Barça and it could most likely be Marquez since Pique is required for his height and captain Puyol with his ferocious drive and inspirational presence will be difficult to keep out of the line-up. The holding position in midfield should see the return of the commanding Yaya.
At the time of writing there is no word yet on Messi’s condition. A stomach bug can be energy sapping so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Messi start on the bench. Barca have more than adequate cover in Iniesta, perhaps the only player in the world who can come close to Messi with his dribbling skills. Xavi is likely to be subject to some tough challenges from Romaric and particularly Dushcer, the hard tacklers in Sevilla’s midfield.
Predicted Lineups :
Barça : Valdes, Alves, Pique, Puyol, Abidal, Toure, Keita, Xavi, Henry, Eto’o, Iniesta
Sevilla : Javi Varas, Mosquera, Squillaci, Escude, Navarro, Duscher, Romaric, Navas, Renato, Perotti, Kanoute
Thats both former Sevilla players Keita and Alves lining up in my formation and hopefully both will play out of their skins against their former club. Speaking of former players, a bit of trivia for you: Undoubtedly the biggest name to play for both clubs was Diego Maradona who, after his first ban, made his return to football at Sevilla joining mentor Carlos Bilardo who was then the coach of Sevilla.
Well anyway, here is looking to another Barça win and another 90 minutes to record in Valdes’ portfolio when he presents his renewal claims in the summer ... sorry, I mean another clean sheet. Busquets, Toure, Eto'o and Xavi are all within one yellow card of a suspension and it may be better off to have at least a few of these being incurred during the Valencia game up next rather than risk having them miss El Classico next week.
Prediction : Barça 3 – 0 Sevilla
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