FCBARCELONA.CAT

03.03.2007 11:00

Sevilla CF, a team in their best moment

FC Barcelona play second place Sevilla this Saturday; one of the most in form teams in La Liga. A victory for the blaugrana will serve to cement their lead at the top of La Liga.

With 47 points, Sevilla occupy second spot in La Liga; 14 wins, 5 draws and 5 losses. During the whole season, they have proved to be one of the best equipped teams capable of lifting the title. Sevilla have occupied top spot a total of 8 times this season.

First against Second

The game this Saturday at the Sanchez Pizjuan stadium, will be the duel between first and second. Only two points separate the two, and a victory for the blaugrana will mean they take a significant step in distancing themselves from the chasing pack.

Both Sevilla and Barcelona have proved to be the two most consistent teams in La Liga. The team from Andalusia started the season well with 4 wins in the first five games. Defeat at the Camp Nou (3-1) brought their run to an end. After the 12th round, Sevilla lay in second position, after the 15th, they occupied top spot, however, were unable to carry the accolade and lost twice in a row to Zaragoza and Mallorca, then drew against Betis and Real Sociedad. Now, having beaten Athletico Madrid and drawing against Getafe, find themselves just two points behind Barça.

Monchi

Great planning and intelligent signings have been the secrets behind their success. Thanks to a good eye from the sporting director Ramon Rodriguez, known better as “Monchi” and with Juande Ramos at the helm, they have formed a formidable line up. All this despite losing three of their most emblematic players over the last few seasons: Jose Antonio Reyes, Sergio Ramos and Julio Baptista.

Starting with the signing in 2002 of Dani Alves and finishing with the Uraguayan Chevanton, every new addition has been studied well in order to achieve their full potential and the resulting success. All this without forgetting the current batch of players key to helping their cause including Jesus Navarro and Antonio Puerta, the latter recently being called up to represent Spain. Another key to their current run of form is Palop; the goalkeeper who has let in the fourth fewest goals in La Liga, and of course, Kanouté; the current Liga leading scorer.