Sevilla FC have made a more than decent start to the new season and are still unbeaten. Nevertheless, there are concerns before the comparison with Wolfsburg – also with Thomas Delaney.
The Andalusians have played seven competitive games so far in the 2021/22 season – and have not lost any of them. Two wins in a row (3-1 against Valencia, 2-0 against Espanyol Barcelona) give them tailwind ahead of Wednesday’s away game in Wolfsburg (9pm, LIVE! on kicker). “We play with heart and soul,” said coach Julen Lopetegui, explaining the recipe for success.
One player who was still playing in the Bundesliga until the summer and to whom self-sacrificing commitment always applies is Thomas Delaney. The former Dortmund player has made four appearances in La Liga so far, in the Champions League opener against Salzburg (1:1) the Dane was substituted at the break and was one of the Spaniards’ weakest players (kicker rating 4.5). Against Espanyol on Saturday, Delaney was well in the game for an hour, but then saw yellow red after a foul and spiteful bleating against the referee within a few seconds.
“The red card made it unnecessarily difficult for us,” Delaney told kicker the next day, “after the game I thanked my team-mates and apologised.” Now he may face a reserve role on his return to Germany. Coach Lopetegui has changed a lot lately, but Fernando seems to be the only defensive midfielder. Papu Gomez could be used instead of the more defensive Delaney – or even the ex-Schalker Ivan Rakitic. Many variations are conceivable.
The best value is deceptive
The fact that Sevilla have the best defence in the league with only two goals conceded in six games is of little significance. Often, the Andalusian defence was not really challenged, real touchstones were missing. Against Salzburg, Sevilla swam hard at times and were lucky with the draw in view of RB’s two missed penalties and 40 minutes of being outnumbered. Keeper Bono has also not always shown himself to be confident of late.
Now it’s off to Wolfsburg, where VfL are eager for their first win of this top flight season after a disappointing 0-0 draw in Lille. Delaney warned of the Lower Saxons in the run-up: “They have a very good team with high individual quality and a good width in the squad.” Will that warning be enough to hold up in Wolfsburg?
