Copa Del Rey
Sevilla vs Barcelona Preview
- Date: Jan. 23, 2019
- Time: 3:30 p.m. (est)
- Network: beIN Sports
- Location: Seville, Spain
- Venue: Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán
- Seating Capacity: 43,886
The Sánchez-Pizjuán will host the quarterfinal first leg of the Sevilla/Barcelona matchup.
However, the Catalan side sails to Seville without star player Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets.
Meanwhile, Sevilla seeks to revenge last season’s finals 5-0 loss to Barcelona which gave the Catalans their 30th trophy in competition.
Views From Both Camps
Pablo Machín is no stranger to the Barcelona atmosphere having managed Girona’s first ever promotion to first division.
“Barça is the team that everyone wanted to avoid, but they won’t be happy to have been drawn against us either. Anything can happen in football, but over two legs it’s always a lot harder to spring a surprise,” said the Argentinian ahead of the game.
Meanwhile, Ernesto Valverde took defense on a rather controversial signing in Kevin-Prince Boateng.
“Since I’ve been here, all of them have been controversial signings. Arturo Vidal, Paulinho, you talked a lot, with Arthur also, then he also gives us a great performance. Things always end up going well.”
He was available, Munir left, the club thought he was the best option and I hope he helps us a lot. He knows the trade, a player who, having made a career in other positions, now plays as a number nine, he knows La Liga and the role he is playing in.”
Possible Lineups
Sevilla starting XI: Soriano; Mercado, Kjaer, Gomez; Navas, Sarabia, Banega, Vazquez, Escudero; Ben Yedder, Andre Silva.
Barcelona starting XI: Cillessen; Roberto, Pique, Lenglet, Alba; Vidal, Rakitic, Arthur; Malcom, L. Suarez, Coutinho.
Prediction
With five poins clear at the top of La Liga table, and Champions League returning soon, the Catalan side seeks to rest some players and give youngster some playing in the first leg of the quarterfinals. However, many believe Valverde is committing a mistake by leaving Messi out of the squad.
Sevilla has maintained themselves in the top four slots of La Liga for the majority of the season. Not only this, but they also maintain the first place in three different occasions.
Additionally, Sevilla presents a threat for Barcelona at achieving the desired treble. However, Messi did say at the beginning of the year that they may think about prioritizing the competitions. Perhaps they won’t mind letting go of the League Cup in search of a double between La Liga and Champions League.
If that’s the case, Sevilla has a greater chance at getting to the semifinals. Nevertheless, ‘Los Sevillistas” remain in competition with the Europa League in sight as well.
Sevilla 2 – 1 Barcelona
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Photo credit to Dickson Dagogo via Flickr
