Sevilla is gearing up to host Barcelona at the Sánchez-Pizjuán stadium, with a bold message for their fans: “Nothing is impossible in the city of hope.” The club aims to inspire belief and determination as they look to put past struggles behind them and build a strong foundation under the guidance of coach Matías Almeyda.
Almeyda, experiencing his first taste of Spanish football, has injected intensity and hard work into the team. Sevilla bolstered their squad during the summer transfer window, bringing in seven new players, including goalkeeper Vlachodimos, defenders Azpilicueta and Fabio Cardoso, midfielders Gabriel Suazo and Batista Mendy, and forwards Alfon and former Barcelona player Alexis Sánchez. All, except for the injured Alfon, started in their recent match against Rayo, securing a valuable three points for Almeyda's side.
Currently sitting ninth in La Liga after seven games, with three wins, one draw, and three losses, Sevilla's form reveals a contrasting picture. They've proven to be a formidable force away from home, securing victories against Girona, Vitoria, and Vallecas. However, they are yet to transform the Sánchez-Pizjuán into a fortress, suffering defeats against Getafe and Villarreal, and drawing with Elche.
Barcelona Seeks Top Spot
Barcelona arrives in Seville with the ambition of reclaiming the top spot in the league standings before the international break. The match kicks off at 16:15, with temperatures expected to be high. Sevilla, under Almeyda, will be eager to improve their home form, having only secured one point from a possible nine at the Sánchez-Pizjuán this season. Their strong away form, however, has placed them in a comfortable position in the league table.
Barcelona's Correction Needed
Just as Sevilla aims to rectify their home form, Barcelona also has areas for improvement. Barcelona coach, Hansi Flick, emphasized the need for corrections after their match against Paris Saint-Germain. He reiterated this point in the press conference leading up to the Sevilla game. He urged his players to exhibit more intelligence and solidarity when pressing the opposition. The defeat against the French side occurred late in the game, a worrying trend that adds to their habit of conceding early goals and having to fight back.
Flick also addressed the situation involving Lamine Yamal and his injury, attempting to diffuse any further tensions with the Federation and Luis de la Fuente.
The big news is that the Barcelona star won't be travelling to Seville and that Fl...