MATCH DETAILS
Real Madrid vs Sevilla
Date : 09-02-2013
Real Madrid vs Sevilla
Date : 09-02-2013
Game Start - 22:00
Spain La Liga
Stadium: Estadio Santiago Bernabéu (Madrid)
Stadium: Estadio Santiago Bernabéu (Madrid)
Analysis
Los Blancos of Real Madrid have three targets ahead of their Spanish La Liga fixture against Sevilla. They want to build momentum, avoid injuries and possibly get three points. The fact is that the league champions – more than 15 points off the top spot – have switched their focus on UEFA Champions League glory.
Next week, they will host Manchester United on home soil so Saturday’s match against Sevilla appears as a perfect warm-up for the Spanish giants. Jose Mourinho needs to seduce Real Madrid’s home supporters as their influence will be vital against the Red Devils come next Wednesday.
Birthday boy Cristiano Ronaldo claimed he was ‘not 100 per cent fit’ to play for Portugal in midweek. However, the national team skipper – now captain of Real Madrid as well in the absence of injured Spanish veteran Iker Casillas – found the net in Portugal’s 3-2 international friendly loss to Ecuador.
With this strike, he may have recovered from last weekend’s own goal incident which offered Granada three full points against Real Madrid. Ronaldo may not play the full match against Sevilla as Mourinho might want to have his star player fresh for the Manchester United showdown. Meanwhile, Pepe could receive some playing time as a cover up for injured youngster Raphael Varane.
Sevilla are unlucky to face Los Blancos without striker Ivan Rakitic. The latter saw red in his side’s 2-1 victory over Rayo Vallecano last weekend. His absence could prove costly for Saturay’s Santiago Bernabeu visitors. Striker Negredo and former Real Madrid boy Jose Antonio Reyes are likely to make it in their team’s starting XI and face former Sevilla goalkeeper Diego Lopez.
Los Blancos of Real Madrid have three targets ahead of their Spanish La Liga fixture against Sevilla. They want to build momentum, avoid injuries and possibly get three points. The fact is that the league champions – more than 15 points off the top spot – have switched their focus on UEFA Champions League glory.
Next week, they will host Manchester United on home soil so Saturday’s match against Sevilla appears as a perfect warm-up for the Spanish giants. Jose Mourinho needs to seduce Real Madrid’s home supporters as their influence will be vital against the Red Devils come next Wednesday.
Birthday boy Cristiano Ronaldo claimed he was ‘not 100 per cent fit’ to play for Portugal in midweek. However, the national team skipper – now captain of Real Madrid as well in the absence of injured Spanish veteran Iker Casillas – found the net in Portugal’s 3-2 international friendly loss to Ecuador.
With this strike, he may have recovered from last weekend’s own goal incident which offered Granada three full points against Real Madrid. Ronaldo may not play the full match against Sevilla as Mourinho might want to have his star player fresh for the Manchester United showdown. Meanwhile, Pepe could receive some playing time as a cover up for injured youngster Raphael Varane.
Sevilla are unlucky to face Los Blancos without striker Ivan Rakitic. The latter saw red in his side’s 2-1 victory over Rayo Vallecano last weekend. His absence could prove costly for Saturay’s Santiago Bernabeu visitors. Striker Negredo and former Real Madrid boy Jose Antonio Reyes are likely to make it in their team’s starting XI and face former Sevilla goalkeeper Diego Lopez.