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Nothing has been missing in the run-up to the Sevilla derby (this Sunday at 6:30 p.m. at the Pizjuán), a game where much more than three points are at stake, between dejected Sevilla and Betis, which comes in victorious and hungry to deal a blow to the eternal Sevilla rivalry once and for all. A preview marked by the visit of the Biris, Sevilla’s ultra group, to the sports city to speak with the captains and their coach Diego Alonso, who described as a “cordial conversation” an appointment difficult for the Sevilla leader is to be justified.
A dejected team that hasn’t won in the league for five games and sees the derby as a final. A preview that Betis comes with 11 games without defeat and five wins in a row, with Isco as the star but with two injured goalkeepers, Bravo and Rui Silva, so Fran Vieites, the reserve team’s goal, will play. Who is active in the Second Federation. A derby in which even José María del Nido, former president, appeared and called for unity with Sevilla in a video sent to social networks.
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Sevilla is a powder keg in sporting and institutional terms. He does not raise his head in a season in which he has already sent José Luis Mendilibar to hire Diego Alonso, who has only managed to win one of six games, in the cup and against a regional team, Quintanar. They also suffered a defeat against Arsenal (2-0) in the Champions League in London and are in last place in their group with just two points. Besieged by the Ultras, without a defined style of play and in 15th place, nine points behind Betis, the group led by Alonso is clinging to the veterans to claim victory and begin a necessary climb.
Sergio Ramos and Acuña have recovered from their injuries and, along with Rakitic, Navas, Fernando and Ocampos, form the hard core of a dressing room conspiring to win the derby. Against Madrid, for example, Sevilla showed their face and achieved a draw (1-1) on the Uruguayan coach’s debut. In the event of a defeat, Diego Alonso would have continuity in attack, although Sevilla officials have asked their coach for patience.
Added to the weight of the veterans is the undisputed dominance that Sevilla exerts in the derbies. Not even Manuel Pellegrini could reverse this reality (he has managed seven derbies and won just one trophy, with three draws and three defeats). Betis have only won three of the last 21 derbies played, with five draws and 13 wins for Sevilla. It is the 140th official derby between the league, cup and Europa League. Sevilla have won 65 of their previous 139, with 34 draws and 40 wins for Betis.
For its part, Betis arrives in great form. Sixth place goes to Isco’s Betis, who are also playing their special duel. After playing for Sevilla last year and leaving the Nervionense unit after a fight with Monchi that grabbed him by the throat, Isco is the flagship of Betic football. “I know they will whistle at me, but it doesn’t affect me,” a footballer in a state of grace declared this week before his first derby. Isco did not play in the derby against Sevilla after receiving his fifth yellow card. In this brilliantly reborn season for football, he received four warnings and made sure not to see yellow in the final green-white duel against Mallorca. He has played 16 games with three goals and three assists. They have played a total of 14 games against Sevilla, with 11 wins, one draw and two defeats. He did not score in all of these games.
Five wins in a row mark the development of Pellegrini’s team, which is very committed and is only affected by the losses of the two first team goalkeepers, Bravo (he will not play until January) and Rui Silva. Fran Vieites, target of the subsidiary, will be at the start. “For Fran (Vieites), the motivation to take part in a derby is more than enough. He’s very excited and if he’s in the squad it’s for a reason. Now he has to prove it on the field,” said Manuel Pellegrini about the man who will be his goalkeeper in the derby.
“My personal statistics don’t play a big role for me. What worries me is the European Championships every year. The mentality has changed compared to other years when it was more important to win the derby than to finish fifth,” clarified Pellegrini. “Sevilla are playing in the Champions League, even if they are in a difficult time. “It’s a bit disorientating, four coaches have left, but it’s a big team,” the Betis coach added. “Hopefully it will be a great party with the best players,” he concluded when asked about Sergio Ramos’ presence in Sevilla.
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