Sevilla 4 – Racing 1—The Sevilla of Old Has Returned

By: Ryan | December 23rd, 2007

Before the 10pm Saturday night clash againt Racing, Ray Hudson was having words with Phil Schoen about the status of Sevilla the last few weeks. Ray agreed with me (of course he did) saying there are really two different Sevilla teams, and the real Sevilla is just starting to come out from their shell.

Well Ray was right on target, as Sevilla trounced Racing Santander 4-1 Saturday night at the Sanchez Pizjuan.

Trounced may been a strong word, but it really is fitting to describe this game, which Sevilla essentially dominated from start to finish, minus about 10 minutes in the second half when the game was evenly played.

Sevilla started with the starting eleven:

–De Sanctis
Alves–Mosquera–Escude–Drago
Navas-Maresca-Poulsen-Capel
Kanoute-Kerzhakov

Lineup

De Sanctis was a surprise in goal, but Palop was a healthy scratch for the game. He certainly proved his worth when called upon. Escude made his return to the squad after a Fall full of injuries for the French international. Kerzhakov made one of his few starts upfront this season and depending on the January transfer window, it may be his last.

The Game

Sevilla came out dominating the first half. Yes, I realize I am pro-Sevilla, but it really was a dominating performance. Racing was not lying down at their feet, but great movement by the midfield kept the ball moving and gave Sevilla a few great chances. Diego Capel was simply stunning all game long, having four of the five yellow cards given to players who fouled the 19 year old on the left side.

The first goal was one of the prettiest goals you will see this season. Alves pushed the ball up to Kerzhakov, who slid the ball into Maresca. Maresca gave a great backheel through the defense to Alves who continued his run, beat the keeper and touched the ball on to Kanouté who shot it back into the net infront of a diving Coltori. It really was a great play, tough to describe but a beauty to see. (See the video at the end for the highlights.) The rest of the half Kerzhakov, Kanouté and Navas all missed opportunities to score inside Racing’s area. The first half ended 1-0 for Sevilla.

The second half Racing came out and Garay scored on a header in the 49th minute. The wind seemed to have left Sevilla’s sails until a surprise substition for Kerzhakov saw the Uruguayan Ernesto Chevantón come on in the 60th minute. Six minutes later, Chevantón was fouled on the top of the box, just off the left-hand corner. Chevantón stepped up and hit a screamer that bent into the right corner of the net, leaving Coltori with no chance and sent the Sevilla fans into a frenzy. Chevantón NEEDS to get playing time I’ve said this time and time again. (I’ll address this later).

Sevilla continued to control the pace of the game, and Dani Alves picked up a yellow card for an apparent handball that didn’t even look like it hit his hand, but rather his eye. Regardless of the correct decision, the yellow means Alves will be out for the Derbi against Betis.

Jesus Navas scored on 84 minutes, capping a great counterattack by Sevilla. Navas received a great diagonal ball on the right side and headed straight to goal, slotting the ball to the left of the Racing keeper and put the nail in the coffin. Adriano, who entered in the second half, scored on a great individual effort inside the box. Sevilla almost netted another goal on a Poulsen header in the 94th minute, but his effort found the goal post.

There was so much more to this game then just the win. This was a MUST win for Sevilla. A game that we had to shed the terrible spell we had in La Liga. This was a breakout game for the rojiblancos.

Diego Capel is the best Sevillista this season, end of story. (I’ll give out some mid-season awards this week). He terrorized the back four of Racing, having 4 yellow cards committed against the young Sevillista, and the definitive sending off of Garay. He has so much skill out on the wing. He is better then Reyes was at the same point in their careers, without question. I see the temptation of Arsenal and Manchester United coming very soon to lure Capel across the pond. Hopefully Jimenez and Del Nido can have a talk with the youngster and we can see him staying in Sevilla for years to come.

Chevantón HAS to play more. It will be a shame when the Uruguayan leaves in the January transfer window, but it will inevitably happen. After the game Del Nido said ‘Chevantón knows how to take advantage of the minutes he gets’. Well yeah, of course he does since you only play him in 3 games in La Liga, and he scores in one, and the one Copa del Rey game he plays in. He has fallen out of favor in Sevilla, but for no fault of his own.

De Sanctis played well when called upon, most noticeably on a freekick a minute before the Racing goal. The majority of the game he was sent taking goal kicks.

Jesus Navas still cannot finish when he is called upon. Sure he had a goal, but it was gift wrapped to him. He had a few more chances in the game where he didn’t even come close to finishing. He only has two goals this season in 16 games, but he should have more this season. As much as he creates on the right side he doesn’t finish, and this is something he has to work on to be a solid outside midfielder. He has the other qualities, but lacks that killer instinct.

Dani Alves has been playing well since he got his head out of his ass. His overlapping runs are opening things up on the outside, but he seems to be getting a lot of cards lately and also turning into quite the diver, which I really can’t stand. It will be a shame that he won’t be on the pitch for the Betis game.

It was good to have Escudé back in the lineup. The one we are really missing is Javi Navarro, as echoed by Eric in the last post about the Sevilla with two faces. He will be back hopefully around March, hopefully being the key word as his injuries have been haunting him this entire fall. We need our captain back out on the field.

Sevillista del Dia

Diego Capel. Simply stunning on the left yet again. Left Racing scrambing around all night trying to stop him. He is quite a dandy and will only continue to get better, leaving fans like myself anxious as to how good he will be in the years to come. It’s official that Diego Capel is my favorite Sevillista.

And one final note that I just found out.

Apparently last week, when an Italian newspaper printed the Champions league sides for the Round of 16, the printed Sevilla’s name and next to it? The Betis crest. Ouch, that hurts.