The pick of the quarter-final first leg encounters in this season’s Copa del Rey saw Sevilla pick up an impressive 3-3 draw away to Villarreal. If the second leg matches the excitement and drama of the first, Tuesday night’s encounter is sure to be a firecracker of an encounter.
Los Nervionenses’ form this season has largely been disappointing, which is why it was such a surprise that they managed to overcome the effect of El Madrigal. The Yellow Submarine had been largely flawless at the venue all season, but a brace from Alvaro Negredo and a late strike from Alexis allowed the guests to peg back their hosts, who led 2-0 and 3-1.
The kind of character displayed on Spain’s east coast was sorely lacking in the first half of the season, meaning that Sevilla have fallen back from the European race and could see cup success as their simplest route to the continent next term. Though they have improved dramatically since the turn of the year, a 2-1 home loss against Espanyol on Saturday was very damaging.
“The result stops everything, but the team has produced an acceptable game. However, this match is a slowdown of the escalation that has begun in 2011,” Manzano stated.
Having defeated Barcelona en route to claiming the Copa del Rey crown last season, Sevilla have what it takes to progress deep into this competition, and with their league campaign far from perfect, they also have the motivation to answer their critics.
Still Confident
A lengthy list of injuries didn’t stop Villarreal from continuing their strong home record in the Primera Division on Saturday evening. Aided by a quite magnificent strike from Ruben Cani, the Yellow Submarine marched to a terrific 4-2 success over struggling Osasuna, pushing the midweek draw against Sevilla to the back of their minds.
Sitting third in the standings, the Copa del Rey is certainly not at the top of Juan Carlos Garrido’s priority list, but there is still confidence in the camp that a victory can be recorded in Andalucia and progress in the competition made.
“It will not be an easy match, but we will have our options. The team is finding the goal lately with ease,” Borja Valero argued to the press earlier this week.
“The game will be tough and the stands will be against us, but this team can do well in any field. We are very motivated to win because we want to get the right result to remain in the competition.”
Playing away from home this season is not something that Villarreal have done comfortably. Indeed, in their nine away trips in the Primera Division, the Yellow Submarine have won on only three occasions, which is not the kind of form that suggests Tuesday match will be a pushover.
TEAM NEWS
Sevilla
Gregorio Manzano has largely kept faith with the player who lost to Espanyol last weekend. Andres Palop is still not involved, while Federico Fazio, Ivica Dragutinovic and Sergio Sanchez are all missing too.
Villarreal
Santi Cazorla will miss this encounter due to injury but could return for the weekend’s Primera Division action. He is one name on a lengthy list of injuries that also includes Marcos Senna, Nilmar and Angel, who won’t play again this term.
Bruno Soriano shook off a knock to play at the weekend, however.
Prediction
Villarreal tend to damage teams at El Madrigal and aren’t quite so strong on their travels. With injury problems having also hit the squad, Sevilla should be considered warm favourites to progress through Tuesday night’s tie and become the first team officially in the semi-finals.
Sevilla 2-1 Villarreal 
Napoli 2-0 Bologna 
Montpellier HSC 1-1 PSG 
