Pre-match reports

THE JOURNEY STARTS WITH THE THIRD TRIP TO EXTREMADURA THIS CENTURY

31/10/2018

Pablo Machín will put out an eleven with a a lot of changes for the visit to Villanueva de la Serena, with our first official match in the province of Badajoz since 2003

Well accustomed to starting off the cup by facing teams from at least two divisions below, Sevilla FC debut in this season's Copa del Rey today, a tournament in which, lately, they have been used to advancing far and are therefore one of the favourites for to reach, at least, the final. As occurred last season against FC Cartagena, the first opponent comes from Group IV of Segunda. This year, we have to travel to our neighbouring autonomous community, our third trip to the province of Badajoz this century, though our first in 15 years. Back then, also in the Copa del Rey and in a one-off match, Sevilla beat the now defunct Cerro de Reyes 7-1. In that match, under Joaquín Caparros, the Uruguayan Germán Hornos made his debut with a hat trick.

Before that fixture they had made the trip to Almendralejo, by that stage with promotion mathematically secure, drawing one-all in Francisco de la Hera. That same season, in December 2000, the team also had to make the trip to Nuevo Vivero in Badajoz. That is all of our matches in Extremadura this century, although in the summer Extremadura themselves visited the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán in a friendly.

Pablo Machín made it clear that it was time to give opportunities to players. Therefore, players like Vaclik, Franco Vázquez and Banega remain in Sevilla, along with the injured Kjaer, Mercado or André Silva. The Sorian knows there are players to come in and already knows that Juan Soriano will start in goal. Borja Lasso is also very likely to return to the team and it is to be seen whether Mena and Javi Vázquez get a chance as well.

Juan Soriano is confirmed to be in the starting eleven, which could also include the youth players Lasso, Mena and Javi Vázquez

Our opponent comes to the game with the excitement of a town of 26,000 inhabitants welcoming one of the biggest teams domestically, something that will bring back the memory of only three years ago, when they managed a scoreless draw against FC Barcelona in this very round. The manager, Julio Cobos, has the team unbeaten in three games, although this has not enabled them to escape from the relegation zone just yet. Curiously, Cobos played for Sevilla B when he was a footballer and has highlighted the importance of this Thursday's game, for which only Eduard Calin will be injured.

Villanueva de la Serena is preparing for a very special day, who will also be welcoming 700 Sevilla fans in the stand, making use of the day off and that both cities are only two hours away in car. The stadium will be the Estadio Municipal Villanovense, which has had its capacity increased to 9,000.