Depor vs Sevilla pt. 3 – Fan vs. Fan

By: Paddy | January 13th, 2009

This is a new concept I’m trying in conjunction with Anthony and if its successful and I like it I may keep using it. Anyways here goes

1. First of all, how do you feel about your side’s season so far?

Paddy: Ya, happy enough I guess, the defence is no longer leaking goals but we are struggling to score many so we are like Sevilla in that respect I guess. The team is performing admiraly in the league and I expect a European place, and the run in the UEFA is a nice distraction too. Considering the budget we have to work with one has to be relatively satisfied

Anthony: We’ve played some good football I guess. Overall it’s been disappointing for me as a fan because we’ve been plagued with injuries and there’s a serious goal drought. Our defense has been immense, there’s no denying that, we have the second least goals allowed in the league only behind Barca and this has been the major reason towards our success thus far. We’ve hit a few bumps throughout the season but hopefully our demolishing of you guys this past Saturday will give us the boost we need to push on and challenge for a higher position in the league.

2. How important is this game?

Paddy: Not that important in the great scheme of things I think. Its nice to get a good cup run for the fans but I would prefer to pick up 3 points against Barca at the weekend. So theres no pressure on the lads from me really, which must be a great weight lifte from their minds

Anthony: This game is more important than you know, I can’t emphasize enough that it is a MUST win. We were knocked out of the UEFA Cup before Christmas and not only was it a shock to Sevillistas, but much of the footballing world seeing as we went in as favourites to win the cup for the third time in four seasons. The Copa del Rey gives us a chance at silverware because let’s face it, no one is going to catch Barca in the league. Over the past 3 season’s we have won the most trophies out of any Spanish team and I think it’s absolutely vital to push on and win another one, the players need to push for this.

3. How do you rate your opponents’ season?

Paddy:Well they certainly are going better now than at this stage last season, which is understandable due to the tragic death of Antonio Puerta. I’m not convinced by their manager, but one can’t argue with their position in the league. They could well get a Champions League place now not having the UEFA Cup to distract them. They’ve being going about their business quietly but efficiently

Anthony: I think Depor is a strong side, their glory days from the 90’s seem to be returning and Lotina has built a strong side. I particularly like them because they don’t have the major funding that many other teams do in Spain and as a Sevillista I can relate to that. It’s good to see smaller teams doing well because once again, we came from nothing too. I always liked De Guzman and thought he was a solid defensive midfielder, now that Lotina has come in though he hasn’t played as much, however I think it may be for the best seeing as you guys are playing quick one touch football, very attractive and successful. Villarreal and Atlético better watch out because I think Depor has re-evolved into SuperDepor and will be chasing to clinch that final UEFA Cup spot.

4. Who do you think has the edge heading into this game, and why?

Paddy: Oh Sevilla, without a shadow of a doubt, 2 wins in 4 days will do that to a team

Anthony:Of course we have the edge going in, we’ve beat you guys twice in less than a week and we’re going for the hat-trick with this game. Jiménez is under serious pressure to deliver results and if we drop out of the Copa del Rey, he’ll get the axe, no doubt. It’s tricky though because of course the Riazor is always hard to go into and win (like many big teams including Real have found out this year) and with the away goal you guys have a very good chance to give us the boot.

5. Tactically, where do you think the key to this game will lie?

Paddy I’d say Lotina will probably start off conservatively enough and then try to wear down the opposition and try and get a sneaky 1-0 or something, it will be interesting to see what kind of line out he puts out, but I imagine it will be a cagey game regardless

Anthony:I know from my viewpoint that we have to go straight for the kill, Jiménez can’t afford to put out a defensive lineup like he has done so many times this season, with Kanouté on top form and Fabiano starting to push towards his, it is vital that we play a 4-4-2 system and the first team to score I feel will win, it won’t be a repeat of Saturday, that’s for sure.

6. Which opposition player do you consider to be the greatest threat to your team in this clash?

Paddy: Freddie Kanoute I’d say, unless he goes off on a one man mission and attempts to free Palestine ala John Rambo. He changed the game when he came on the other day and is a top class finisher. There is a lot of other dangermen too, Diego Capel and Jesus Navas immediately spring to mind

Anthony: Like we saw on Saturday, Bodipo is a class striker and he’s always going to be a threat, if we can contain him I think that would be of great help. Of course though I also rate Omar Bravo when he plays and Cristian although he didn’t perform particularly well this past weekend.

7. Which opposition player would you most like to see in your teams squad and why?

Paddy: Obviously Kanoute is brilliant but he’s getting on a bit. Luis Fabiano is another high quality striker that wouldn’t look out of place in any of the continents top teams. Federico Fazio is another who I think has a great future in front of him. Funny I don’t really rate Dani Alves that highly and I reckon that Sevilla did very well to get the money for him that they did

Anthony:I would like to see Felipe Luís on our team seeing as he’s a solid wing-back something we’ve lacked this year, especially on the right side. Navarro and Drago have been strong on the left but our right side is weak.

Not willing to sell by any chance are you?

Paddy: Its not my decision to make

8. What are your team’s strengths at the moment?
Paddy: Despite conceding three at the weekend the defence is solid. Daniel Aranzubia has been a great signing. Rudolfo Bodipo is in fantastic form up front too, and one always has to be wary with Guardado, Lafita and Verdu about

Anthony:Right now we’re on a high, our morale is peaking and our two star strikers are on top form. Our defense as I mentioned earlier is playing immensely and have been all season. We’ve been playing some pretty football of late and hopefully it’ll continue when we play you. Also a note here, Navas, Adriano and Capel are insane, honestly I’ve never seen so many good wingers in my life, never mind all on one team. They’re all in-form at the moment so let’s hope that continues too.

9. And weaknesses?

Paddy: Well the main problem is goals are hard to come by, but if they weren’t it’d be an easy game. Other than that I must say I’m happy enough with the squad. I wouldn’t mind seeing another striker and central defender coming in though

Anthony: Well, the centre of our defense has been a bit shaky of late, Maresca hasn’t performed particularly well when playing and Romaric sometimes seems a bit sluggish. Renato and Duscher usually play well but over the past few weeks they’ve all seemed to lack interest. One of our huge weaknesses this year is our inability to see off games, we’ve been leading in a lot of games this year but have either lost or drawn, definitely not good enough for a team that wants to be in the Champions League, we need to learn that a 1 goal lead isn’t good enough and that you can never have too many goals. There is no time to relax in football.

10. What would you envy about the opposition, if anything?

Paddy: The two UEFA Cups mainly. Its a nice trophy to have when you when it, even if it is not held highly in a lot of peoples opinions. It gives the regional teams a good stage and thats always positive

Anthony: I envy how you have been able to make the Riazor a fortress, something I wish we could do with our home. You have only lost two games at home this year and I really wish we could maintain that home form.

11. What do you think the score of this match will be, and how will it affect your week?

Paddy: 1-0 to the boys from A Coruna. Hopefully

Anthony It’ll be 2-0 from us with goals from Renato and Kanouté. I believe that Renato seems to always get clutch goals (like this past weekend) and will do it again and as for Big Fredi, well considering the performance he put in on the weekend, he deserves a goal. Good things come to those who wait.

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