HISPALENSES HAVE TWO KEY LOSSES
Sevilla's defense, in 'box' to visit FC Barcelona
Published:19/10/2024 - 00:00h
Updated:19/10/2024 - 00:00h
Sevilla will visit FC Barcelona this Sunday with many doubts in its defense. The loss of Tanguy Nianzou (sanctioned) and the doubts with Loïc Badé leave the Andalusians in a 'box'
Francisco Javier García Pimienta has serious doubts regarding the formation of his defense for next Sunday's match against FC Barcelona (9:00 p.m. CEST). The Andalusians will arrive at Montjuïc with at least two significant casualties in their rear, among them Tanguy Nianzou. The Frenchman was sent off for a double yellow in the derby against Betis, which is why he will not even be on the bench.
It is also doubtful who has been his usual partner in the last games of the Seville team, his compatriot Loïc Badé. The Frenchman has been suffering from physical discomfort since the break and is doubtful to enter the XI, amid rumors about Liverpool's possible interest in signing him during the winter market. With this, Sevilla would lose its two centre-backs to try to stop what, by far, is the best offense in LaLiga. Barça has scored 28 goals in 9 games, 19 more than those scored by the 'blanquirrojo' team.
Sevilla will go for the miracle in Montjuïc with an improvised defense
In that sense, García Pimienta could be forced to use the youth squad Kike Salas and the Brazilian Marcao to stop the devastating culé attack. The Spaniard started against Villarreal and Alavés, two games that ended with an Andalusian defeat by the same score (2-1); while the South American footballer did the same against Girona, Getafe and Valladolid with a more positive balance (82 wins and 1 draw).
For Sevilla, the visit to Catalonia has been torture in recent seasons. The people of Seville have not defeated Barcelona as visitors since 2002 (0-3) and, since 2020/21 (1-1), they have not managed to score even a point on Barça territory. Before the tie in 2020, the culés had consecutive victories at home for nine consecutive seasons. This season, the Andalusians have 12 points out of 27 played, the result of 3 wins, 3 draws and 3 losses.