12.08.2010 11:23

Sevilla maintains much the same block

David Puig

The Sevilla side that will take on FC Barcelona this Saturday hasn’t changed a great deal from last season. The Andalus club has made three signings and brought back three players that were on loan.

With just three weeks left before the transfer window slams shut, Sevilla coach Antonio Alvarez has kept pretty much the same group of players as last season. So far he’s brought in two midfielders, Cigarini and Guarente, plus a fullback Dabo.

Two midfielders from the Calcio

Luca Cigarini, a 24-year-old Italian midfielder, has joined Sevilla on loan from Naples. He’s considered a technically gifted player and will take on the role of playmaker.

As it happens, Cigarini played alongside Sevilla’s other Italian import, Tiberio Guarente, for Atalanta in the 2008-09 season. Guarente is an attack-minded midfielder but will miss the Super Cup due to an injury to his right calf muscle that will keep him out of action for the next month.

Dabo replaces Adriano

The transfer of Adriano to Barça has been compensated by the incorporation of French international Mouhamadou Dabo from Ligue 1 club Saint Etienne. Like Adriano, Dabo can play on either side of the defence.

Back from loan spells

Meanwhile, Sevilla have brought back three of the players that were out on loan last season, all of them forwards: Alfaro (Tenerife), Koné (Hanover 96) and Chevantón (Atalanta).