Stop asking questions a.k.a. Who critisizes an undefeated team?

By: Anthony | September 28th, 2008

Sure, Luis Fabiano, last years Pichichi runner-up has got off to a slow start, but you really didn’t think it was going to last very long did you? Having not scored since the first game of the season there have been many critics saying it was a one-off season and there’s no way he could do it again.

From the embaressing result in Betis (not absolutely destroying them is embaressing!!) and the unconvincing one against Sporting, Manolo Jímenez’ and his men have come under some heavy criticism as to whether they are for real or not. Sure the game against Sporting was anything but convincing, but if you actually watched the game, Sporting had 3 chances and just happened to get 2 goals off deflections and 1 off a penalty. Even last week following the 2-0 win over Espanyol, they were still critisized for not showing the flair they used to, and not creating enough chances.

The 1-0 win over Atlético should not only silence Fabiano’s critics, but Jímenez’ as well. I was a bit skeptical when i saw the lineup Jímenez had fielded, a 5 man midfield never seems to work out well for us, perfect example was last weekend at Betis. Man was I proved wrong. Agüero and the supposed new phenom Sinama-Pongolle, had 3 guys on them as soon as they got the ball, therefore being almost invisible for much of the game. Our 5 man midfield consisting of Capel on his favoured left, Romaric and Maresca in the centre, Duscher as the holding midfielder, and Navas of course on the right. Atléti’s midfield was slow and uncreative, because of how well they were contained by Maresca and co.

Fabiano was hard done by when his initial flick in off Maresca’s free kick was ruled offside in a call that was debatable. He didn’t let this hold him down though as he struck a beautiful 20th minute freekick, just out of Coupet’s reach in the bottom right corner. Playing as the single striker, Fabiano didn’t have many chances, but in the end didn’t really need to because he converted the freekick and Atléti didn’t really have any chances themselves.

In the second half once again Fabiano had a chance to put the game out of reach when he got on the end of a Navas cross and smashed a header against the crossbar and then stumbled and failed to convert the follow up. Although the closing minutes were scary to watch and Atlético had most of the posession, they failed to create anything, or put a dangerous ball on net, and the game ended 1-0 for Sevilla.

Here are the match highlights, the goal was so nice i just had to post them.

Throughout the match, Sevilla went back to their roots and played beautiful one-two football, with quick movement and passing. It was finally good to see the team play like we know they can and hopefully this will be the game which gives them the confidence to go on in the coming weeks and do just that. From Capel and Navas’ killer runs down the flanks, to Maresca pulling the strings in the orchestrative-like midfield, it was truly a joy to watch.

Over the past couple years Sevilla and Atlético Madrid have built up a fierce rivalry fighting for that highly sought after Champions League spot. Last year Atléti did the double over us *sigh*, but last year was a year of troublesome times in Nervión, and 2008-2009 is a whole new year. Still undefeated through 5 rounds and although showing moments of nervousness, there have been more moments of brilliance which is only a sign of things to come for this year.

This win can only be a huge morale boost and going into Austria on Thursday for the return leg against RB Salzburg which we lead 2-0 on aggregate but will have to play on artificial turf, something which we will train on in the coming three days to adapt to. Then we take on an Athletic Bilbao side next week who are still yet to find their feet in the league, but are very dangerous when they do.

Things can only go up from here.
Vamos Campeón!!