How will Sevilla lineup against Barcelona?

Julien Loptegui arrival at Sevilla was probably not as well-received as he would have liked. After being disgracefully sacked as the coach of the Spanish national team, he could not live up to Zinedine Zidane’s spell as Real Madrid manager.

However, it turned out to be a match made in heaven. Both Los Nervionenses and Lopetegui’s paths took a turn for the better as they ended up winning the Europa League title. That was coupled with impressive performances in the league in the form of consecutive fourth-place finishes.

Almost halfway through the 2021/22 season, Sevilla are now en-route a historic runners up place if they can continue on the same trajectory. They sit just five points adrift Real Madrid, and with the right moves in the winter market, this could be a campaign to remember.

Right now, though, Lopetgui has his eyes set on a first league win against Barcelona in his career. The two sides meet in a mouth-watering clash tonight, with all eyes on the managers. The former Madrid coach is likely to continue in his trademark 4-3-3.

The midfield is the heart of a Lopetegui side, and this one is headlined by none other than Ivan Rakitic. Donning the #10, the former Barcelona star is a force to reckon with. He scored a sensational goal against Atletico Madrid on the weekend and will be hoping to replicate the same tonight.

Joan Jordan and Fernando will retain their spots alongside the Croatian, but the defence is likely to experience some changes in the light of new injuries.

Sevilla has just one fullback fit in the form of Ludwig Augustinsson, who will assume responsibility at left-back. Diego Carlos continues in the heart of the defence and will be joined by Karim Rekik. This means Jules Kounde will be pushed to right-back. Bono holds the fort in the six-yard box.

Moving to the offensive front, there are some doubts over Lucas Ocampos’ fitness, as Lopetegui revealed yesterday. With Suso out, though, we assume that the Argentine will continue on the right-wing.

Rafa Mir has done just enough to rival Youssef En-Nesyri’s centre-forward spot and will spearhead the attack tonight. Alejandro Gomez will round off the team on the left-wing.

Probable Sevilla XI: Bono; Kounde, Carlos, Rekik, Augustinsson; Jordan, Fernando, Rakitic; Ocampos, Mir, Papu

Sevilla vs Barcelona does not always have an awful lot of goals in it, but is is almost always a clash of brilliant tactics. With injuries marring both sides, there will be a lot of rotations, and predicting the outcome is rather challenging. In either situation, though, it seems Real Madrid come out as the winners.