M35: Athletic vs. Sevilla [2019-20]

ATHLETIC CLUB (9th) vs. SEVILLA FC (4th)

One of the tougher grounds in European football awaits us. A stadium in which we haven’t won in the league since the 09/10 season. Now that Sevilla are away-day specialists, can they claim all 3 points?

Athletic gave us a hard time in the last meeting at the RSP. They took advantage of our slow start and struck early. They put up a strong resistance and only conceded through an own goal. It was another example of how easy it can be to render Sevilla useless. They also boast La Liga’s 3rd best defensive record. As we often struggle to find the net, this match seems destined to be a low-scoring affair.

It is exactly that stubbornness to not be beaten that has gotten us this far, holding on to 4th place with 4 games remaining. It may be a cathedral without it’s congregation, but San Mamés is never a ground that provides optimism. If we are to win here for the first time in over a decade, we will be that much closer to CL qualification.

#VamosMiSevilla
#APorLaChampionsLeague

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Still take three Goalkeepers too. I don’t know why but that tickled me a bit. :sweat_smile:

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I like though games, I don’t mind as much that in those games our attacking play may lack, we can lay back bit more without feeling terrible, and iF we hold onto 0-0 for some time, it’s not a bad thing either.

I somehow have a good feeling, maybe coz I’m in a good mood that can only get better haha. Alright boys, show them they can’t go undefeated 10 entire years. Vamosss

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I think it’s to avoid a problem if one gets injured in the warm-up.

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Yeah most likely. Seems to be more of a regular thing in Spain and Italy than England though. Saying that in Italy they have always named 12 subs, usually with 2 sub keepers anyway.

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Got an awkward feeling about tonight. I didn’t know it has been ten seasons since we last won at San Mames.

We are coming up against my favourite La Liga GK, and they also have the tricky Iñaki Williams. I would actually settle for a draw from this game.

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Very tough match for us. It’s never been a happy hunting ground for us in the last 10 years. I’d take a draw tonight too. It would keep us unbeaten and put us 4 clear of Villarreal with a very winnable home game next.

As long as we avoid defeat it’s a good nights work. Obviously if we pull off a magical win that would be awesome and it all but confirm champions league at the pizjuan next season. It would be great way to do it at our bogey ground. Added incentive of having the chance to finish 3rd too and a win tonight would put us joint 3rd with atletico!

I’d expect this to be low scoring too. We both have great defences and neither of us score loads in games. 0-0 would do haha! :rofl:

It’s good news we have Kounde back and everyone bar vaclik is fit. That gives me great hope but I hope whoever is in goal tonight (most likely Bono) has a solid game. Vamos Sevilla!!

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Well no. Because we haven’t won there in 10 years. :wink:

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Haha I’m captain obvious tonight :joy::rofl:

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You’re thinking that Villarreal will lose their next game to Madrid, I think !
And that’s how the manager will be looking at it too.

Ufff … I want all 3 points but I don’t feel like we’ll get them, it’s been horrific playing them away, an entire decade. I’ve got nerves of jelly.

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We did win here in the 15/16 Europa League, which was the season where we never won away from home in the league. How does that work? :joy:

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That’s classic Sevilla all over haha :joy:

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Did we not lose the return game at home but go through on goals?

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Yes, and went thru on penalties, with ex-betico Beñat missing the crucial kick.

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image

Expected lineup. Thoughts?

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It’s time Ennesyri proves a point here. He owes us one after all the chances he missed.

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Yeah I think it works like this, the more space you give En Nesyri the better he will function, or at least to do his thing and take their defense for a run. I don’t like our defensive qualities in the midfield with this line up. Banana (interessting autocorrect for Banega) has been doing God’s work, Gudelj is more of a controller then a real tackler or intercepter and Jordan to me doesn’t excell in neither attacking nor defending. Without Fernando I feel less safe.

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That season was awesome. We beat Villarreal 4 times during the season, basically as a saying here goes: we’ve beat them up whenever we caught them haha.

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VAMOS boys! Let’s get third!

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Iñaki Williams is such a good player. Far too close for comfort there.