Sunday’s encounter between Sevilla and Mallorca will be headlined by the fact that home coach Gregorio Manzano will be up against his former side, though that should not be allowed to detract from the progress he is making with the Andalucians.
Over the course of nearly a year there was a steady flow of rumours that suggested the los Nervionenses wanted Manzano, whose Mallorca side were excelling, to step into the dugout at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan. It wouldn’t be until September that these came to fruition, and already the Jaen-born tactician has started to transform the fortunes of his latest club.
Previously a rather dour, pragmatic outfit under Manolo Jimenez and Antonio Alvarez, already there are clear signs that the southern club are becoming a good deal more expansive and attractive under their new coach, who urged such a style with Mallorca. Aesthetically they may be more pleasing, impressing the fans, but results are required too, and these are also arriving.
Bottom of the table Zaragoza were beaten 2-1 last weekend by los Rojiblancos, with the winning goal arriving in the very last minute when Alvaro Negredo broke clear of the home rearguard to slot home coolly. Prior to that moment, Fernando Navarro had been dismissed, leaving Manzano’s side to play with 10.
Now into a winning habit, notoriously erratic Sevilla must stay in this groove, and that means winning this tricky home encounter.
Going Well In Difficult Times
The summer was a hugely turbulent time for Mallorca, and losing inspirational coach Manzano was only one of a sequence of blows that also saw the Balearic outfit forced to sell players due to their inclement financial situation, which had prevented them from attaining a UEFA licence to play in continental competition.
Much of the hard work of last season’s campaign was therefore eradicated when participation in the Europa League was denied to them, although such an additional burden on a small squad would have been dangerous.
And Michael Laudrup has taken up the reins at the Iberostar Estadio impressively thus far, leading a bruised side into the centre of the Primera Division table, improving their away form but at the same time witnessing the demise of els Barralets’ remarkable home record, which was established under Manzano’s charge.
Four wins and three draws in 11 games represent an excellent start to the season given the constraints that the Islanders have been bound by. Last weekend’s 0-0 draw against Deportivo La Coruna could have been transformed into a victory had Fernando Cavenaghi scored a late half-chance, so with that regret in mind, Mallorca take the relatively short hop to Sevilla, where they’ll be looking to scoop their second away win of the campaign, having also held Barcelona at Camp Nou.
TEAM NEWS
Sevilla
Federico Fazio has started training normally with the squad, but he won’t be deployed at the weekend. Winger Jesus Navas remains absent, while there is a big question mark over Diego Capel, who injured a hamstring last weekend. Tiberio Guarente is out for the duration of the campaign.
Andres Palop is expected to return to the starting XI at the expense of Javi Varas.
Fernando Navarro is suspended after his red card last weekend.
Mallorca
Michael Laudrup is hopeful of being able to pick from all his elite players for this encounter. Pierre Webo and Dudu Aouate have both been on international duty this week but have returned unscathed.
Prediction
While Mallorca’s away record in raw numbers isn’t especially impressive, the fact that they’ve gone to Barcelona and draw, and gone to Valencia to win should be enough for Sevilla to treat them with the respect they deserve. In front of the remarkable Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan crowd, the hosts will come through a difficult test narrowly.
Sevilla 2-1 Mallorca 
