(Football news) Sevilla FC will take on Real Madrid at the Estadio Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán this Saturday at 18:30 CEST, the local time in Seville, and it is one of the most anticipated games of Matchday 10. That’s because Sergio Ramos will host his former Los Blancos teammates, while Diego Alonso will make his debut in the Sevilla FC dugout after taking over as coach on October 10th.
Here comes a look at five of the main reasons why you shouldn’t miss this Saturday’s duel between Sevilla FC and the LALIGA EA SPORTS leaders.
Sevilla FC are hoping for a new manager bounce
After losing four and winning just two of their first eight league games, Sevilla FC decided to replace coach José Luis Mendilibar with Diego Alonso, who will make his official debut in the Andalusians’ dugout on Saturday. The former Uruguayan striker spent six seasons playing in Spain for teams such as Valencia CF, Atlético de Madrid and Málaga CF. He took his first coaching steps in Uruguay and went on to be appointed by MLS side Inter Miami before taking charge of the Uruguayan national team. Alonso departed La Celeste after the 2022 World Cup back in December and he is now tasked with helping Los Nervionenses bounce back and rediscover their form after a slow start to the season.
Sergio Ramos faces Real Madrid
After winning as many as 22 trophies with Real Madrid, including five LALIGA EA SPORTS and four Champions League titles, Ramos parted ways with the capital city club back in 2021. The former Los Blancos captain spent two seasons at Paris Saint-Germain before moving back to Spain to join his boyhood club, Sevilla FC.
Ramos has already started in four games for the Andalusian side, twice in LALIGA EA SPORTS and two times in Europe. On Saturday, he will face some of his former teammates, with this the first time he’ll play against Los Blancos since his first spell at Sevilla FC. That was some time ago, as the last time he faced Real Madrid was back in 2005, when he netted an extraordinary goal in a 2-2 draw at the Estadio Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán. The veteran will hope to make a similar impact this weekend.
Can Sevilla FC break the curse against Real Madrid?
Having recorded just one win in their past six games across all competitions, Sevilla FC are in desperate need of a victory in front of their fans. A win would serve as a boost in morale for the Andalusians, who have lost each of their last four home games against Los Blancos. In fact, Sevilla FC’s last win against Real Madrid dates back to September 2018, when they secured a 3-0 win at home.
Over the last five years, the two teams have faced each other nine times, with Real Madrid securing eight victories and with one game ending in a draw. Moreover, Sevilla FC have faced current Los Blancos boss Carlo Ancelotti 10 times, with the Italian tactician coming out victorious from nine of these duels and with the Andalusians winning just one.
An unstoppable Jude Bellingham
Despite being just 20 years of age, Jude Bellingham has taken LALIGA EA SPORTS by storm following his move to Real Madrid back in the summer. The England international has been featuring in a playmaking position behind the two strikers, where he is thriving both in Spain and Europe.
Bellingham has already scored eight goals in eight LALIGA EA SPORTS games, making him the league’s top scorer and one of the favourites to win the Pichichi award if he keeps finding the back of the net at this pace. Having scored at least one goal in six of his eight league appearances for Los Blancos, Bellingham has been an enigma for opposition defenders. It remains to be seen whether Sevilla FC’s defence will manage to contain the Englishman on Saturday.
One of the strongest friendships in Spanish football
Compatriots Luka Modrić and Ivan Rakitić maintain a strong relationship, having formed one of the finest ever midfield duos as they played alongside each for the Croatian national team. They were instrumental in Croatia’s run to the 2018 World Cup final in Russia and have been very complimentary about each other over the years, with Rakitić explaining that that are “like brothers”. The two men have faced each other 24 times before, including in ElClasico when Rakitić was at FC Barcelona, with Modrić celebrating 10 wins to Rakitić’s nine, and with five games ending in a draw. Whatever the result of Saturday’s duel in Seville, this special friendship will remain intact.
