Pre-match reports

LOOKING TO REFIND LA LIGA MOJO IN GALICIA

17/04/2018
Sevilla have important work to do before attentions can turn to Saturday's Copa del Rey Final. Deportivo La Coruña are the team to beat, with the Nervionenses looking for their first La Liga win in six

RC Deportivo vs Sevilla FC in La Liga Santander kicks off a hugely important week for Sevilla Football Club that will finish with another final for the Club to fight to triumph in. That's all to come, but first there's business to do in the league and Sevilla will need all their commitment and drive. Facing up to a Deportivo side who have just started to gain some momentum will demand professionalism and rigor, especially with the Nervionenses looking to regain a foothold in the race for Europa League football. With just five games to go, Vincenzo Montella's men have work to do and the work starts in A Coruña. 

With just five games left in the La Liga Santander season, Sevilla are faced with the challenge of regaining a foothold in the race for European football

With a Copa del Rey Final waiting next Saturday, Montella's team now has the obligation of offering their best in the league clash that precedes it by four days. Those picked in the starting eleven will surely be looking to give Montella a selection headache heading into the clash with Barcelona, with just one more chance to truly impress before the Wanda. The clash at Riazor requires a convincing performance by Sevilla - one with commitment, fury and the trademark character the Club is used to. The most recent example - though there are so many - is the last quarter of an hour against Villarreal. A furious and magnificent response secured a two-goal comeback with ten men and showed the grit and determination of the Nervionenses have with their backs against the wall. 

The objective of Sevilla FC should be none other than to win in Galicia, whoever it is that steps on to the field to do honours. Despite the great difficulty of facing an opponent who is fighting against relegation and is spurred on by two consecutive victories, the Nervionenses also arrive with the maximum incentive to ensure a European place. To do so they'll have to put an end to a sorry record in the league, after 3 losses and 2 draws at home (2-2) against FC Barcelona and Villarreal have left the side without a win in five. 

Deportivo come into the game on the back of two wins, though are still mixed in a relegation battle

But for two saving results in their last two games, Clarence Seedorf's had previously been on a disastrous run. A win against bottom side Málaga at home (3-2) was something of a logical result - though a 2-3 win at San Mames (a double from Adrián and Borja Valle), three days ago against a rotated Basque side was more of a surprise. Though Sevillistas may look to detract from the comings and goings of two positive results for Deportivo, the Galicians will only be looking to build more momentum in their fight to stay up. In this sense, Sevilla FC will need to be very awake to the dangers La Coruña pose. Glancing to their goalscoring charts, Adrián (9 goals) and Andone (7) are the players Sevilla should be most aware of, though Lucas Pérez (5) and Borges (3) will make life tricky too.

But as Montella pointed out in his pre-match press conference, Sevilla FC should also be confident in its own game, and pulling together in the same direction with a professional attitude, the side can put their winless streak convincingly in the past tonight. A triumph in the final of the Copa del Rey may be the result all Sevillistas are looking for this week but three points in Galicia must be seen as nothing other than essential. It's time to get our mojo back in domestic competition.