It’s not quite certain if Sevillismo has recovered from the result midweek, but we’re being thrown right back into the lion’s den with a trip to San Mamés. The tough fixtures keep coming as the injury list keeps piling on. Many first-team players will miss out, including Rakitic who is suspended. Along with him are many goal-contributors like Acuña, Navas, Ocampos, Lamela & Suso who are all injured. How will Lopetegui reconfigure the midfield & attack to avoid a Champions League hangover?
Considering we played midweek, had a disappointing result, have a long list of key injuries, playing a tough team who we have struggled against over many years especially at their stadium I feel a draw would be a very good result tonight.
Hopefully the boys can respond from the hangover and put in a strong performance. It will be tougher for lope tonight to change things up as we have even less options than usual. I’m still optimistic we can get something as we still a very well organised team with a strong defence. I’m hoping the back line and fernando will be in good form to keep us in the match. Let’s hope for the best.
I’m always a half glass full kind of person so I see no reason we can’t get something out of this game. Won’t be easy as San Mames is never a great place to go and get a result but again think we can. Right now I will go with 1-1 and Mir with our goal.
I just hope, we get the occasional brilliant performance from Jordan. The way he threw that RB Salzburg game, where the chances were still fine, to the point of almost none. Made me so dissapointed that I hope he revanches himself, same for Montiel.
Its fine to try play for a result today, but we are unable to rely on counters as of yet, so the gameplan probably still the same try to play slow from possesion (eventho I don’t think Athletic will let us) till a cross comes or just defend and try score from a set piece some how. They always put a lot of energy in the game so we need to be very sharp. I fear them quite a bit.
Team without real wingers and with three attacking midfielders, I expected at least one Munir or Idrissi. Even with so many injuries, this is still good first eleven, but it will be hard match for sure.
I’m starting to get worried about Diego Carlos. There’s been several games now where he’s a doubt before the game but still starts. I’m worried he might end up picking up an injury if we keep playing him even when he’s not fully fit
Well this is Oscar and to some extent Oliver’s chance. I hope they take it as they do give us a different look with more pace and craft. Oscar performances of late either from bench or the cup match weren’t great but I hope starting tonight he can show more and try show lope that we need something different in that midfield.
I’m pleased to see Oliver play again too as the games he’s featured he has played decent overall. I feel we have a better balance in the midfield tonight. The defensive structure and experienced players of fernando and Delaney and then the more attacking, younger and quicker players of Oliver, Oscar and Papu.
To be honest it’s good to see this lineup and despite all the injury problems we have it is a decent starting 11. Let’s hope they can play well together and we can try trouble Bilbao tonight.
I’m expecting nil points so I’ll be difficult to disappoint and easy to please. If we’d gone with a positive attitude/style in the first 3 Champions we would still be in that competition… I don’t expect anything to change but I live in hope.
The defence is strong enough but can we punch forward? Rafa Mir might save us if he puts the ball where it needs to go. You can probably detect I’m not happy despite being second in la liga but I’m at my limit with Lope.
I hope that Oscar proves me wrong on my opinion of him tonight, but not holding my breath. I think we will be lucky to end up with 4 point out of the next 3 games
Yeah I’m not totally confident in him either but I feel he deserves a couple more chances at least to prove himself.
Yeah this is a really hard game tonight and it wouldn’t surprise me if we lose. That’s why I will be happy with a draw but I just hope the team performs and lope has lifted the teams spirits and has us well organised to give us a chance of getting a result.
Yeah, where is Idrissie. He played like the first match of the season, brought great energy and won a penalty. Now he doesn’t even get lined up over non-wingers.
Don’t like the lineup. The group that pretty much ended the mid week match that produced shit gets the run out. I expected to at least see idrissi from the start today.
