La Liga: Zaragoza vs. Sevilla

Posted on | September 27, 2007 | No Comments

Spare a thought for Sevilla. Is there something definitely wrong with the Andalucian club, or are the three consecutive defeats they have suffered just a run of bad luck? Losing to Arsenal by three goals to nil in their Champions league debut seems to have effected the morale of the team, who have since gone on to lose both of their subsequent league games. You’d have to go back to last January to find them losing two matches on a run, curiously when they lost to Zaragoza at the Romareda stadium, and the last time they lost three games in a row in all competitions was when they were still a second division side almost seven years ago. They go into the Zaragoza game knowing they can’t be as bad as their recent form dictates, and apart from the absence of Italian midfielder Maresca, who will be out for another ten days due to injury, they will field a full strength squad. Zaragoza meanwhile have less to shout about than Sevilla. They have hardly had time to reflect on the four–one battering they received on Wednesday night courtesy of Lionel Messi and co. They are currently fourteenth in the league with just one win in five matches and they also lost their opening UEFA cup game. Coach Victor Fernandez knows full well that his squad has the quality to be fighting for a Champions league spot come the end of the season, but it’s an uphill task getting the players to believe it. Fabio Ayala lost his fight for fitness just before the Barcelona game and will also be doubtful against Sevilla too. One player who is definitely out is Brazilian midfielder Matuzalem, who received a rather nasty knee injury after being tackled by Barca’s Touré. This game is very difficult to judge one way or the other. Sevilla have the players and the cups to prove it, but the Arsenal defeat has shaken them to the very core. Likewise, Zaragoza have an ample quantity of quality players in their ranks but are having a hard time showing it. I’m going for a draw in this match. Zaragoza are still a bit punch drunk from the Barca game and will be reluctant to take risks. A draw then, and probably a boring one. Prediction: Draw (1-1)

Related posts:

1. La Liga: Sevilla vs. Zaragoza
2. La Liga: Sevilla vs. Zaragoza
3. La Liga: Zaragoza vs. Deportivo de la Coruña
4. La Liga: Zaragoza vs. Athletic Bilbao
5. La Liga: Levante vs. Zaragoza

Comments