I heart Klopp. I really do.
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Europa League Final: LFC vs Sevilla
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Im going to stevies. [emoji3]
Sevilla stand between Liverpool and Europa League final glory in Basel on Wednesday night..
James Pearce spoke to Carlos García Urbano, a Sevilla-based Spanish football journalist, to get the lowdown on the Andalusian outfit.
Sevilla have lifted this competition four times over the past decade. Why have they had such an impressive record in it?
Sevilla’s chairman has referred to it as “our trophy” since they lifted it last season. The old UEFA Cup changed Sevilla in so many ways in 2006 that they fell in love with Europe’s second competition.
They have an outstanding record with four victories. Club presidents José María del Nido first, José Castro now and sporting director Monchi, grew a winner mentality that has spread to every player who has gone through the team for the past 10 years.
No club has ever won the Europa League three years in a row. Do they fancy their chances of making history against Liverpool?
If there’s any club that really believes in its possibilities at any time, that’s Sevilla.
In 2014, they overcame many difficult situations until they reached the final with a 90th minute winner against Valencia. They beat Porto and local enemies Real Betis on the way.
Sevilla fans have developed an extraordinary faith in their players and technical staff through the years. They truly believe Sevilla is able to make anything possible. Why wouldn’t they believe they can beat Liverpool? It won’t be easy but they’re still very hungry.
What are Sevilla’s main strengths?
Their offensive skills are lethal. They’re also really fast and technical. But if we talk about creation, Ever Banega is their most important man.
He makes his mates play and leads them to the goal. And, of course, Klopp’s players must be very careful at set-pieces. Unai Emery is a master at strategy. You’ll never know what he can invent next.
Any weaknesses that Liverpool can look to exploit?
The truth is that, despite his strategist fame, Emery hasn’t got his team to defend set-plays properly this season. At least, not in such an effective way as the previous two seasons.
Although having Adil Rami on the squad, Sevilla have struggled playing the ball out from defence sometimes this year. For example, Klopp’s gegenpressing style of football could cause so much damage to them.
The physical side has been a huge handicap for Sevilla this year. Despite the great shape they’ve shown in Europe and the cup, the thing is that Emery and his staff have worked very hard to keep his most important men healthy.
Kevin Gameiro, who has played almost every game, has been key. However, Fernando Llorente has proved not to be good enough to be his replacement. Therefore, the Frenchman carries an enormous load. Konoplyanka has also disappointed Sevilla fans. They expected more from him.
Top scorer Kevin Gameiro looks a threat. Is he the real dangerman?
Yes, he is. However, Liverpool must pay attention to the men who build Sevilla’s offensive chances, such as Ever Banega, Vitolo and Vicente Iborra (when he plays right behind the main forward).
But the wingers (Vitolo, Konoplyanka...) are the real drivers of Sevilla, in my opinion. They give speed and danger in every ball. Even the right and left backs (Trémoulinas, Coke, Mariano, Escudero...) join the ‘party’ frequently, misleading rival’s defenders and creating really good chances of scoring.
What about captain Jose Antonio Reyes? It’s a long time since he played in England for Arsenal. Is he still going strong?
He is a special case. Despite not being the youngest player in the squad, he always appears in the big dates. When he returned to Sevilla in 2012, he didn’t imagine that he could be part of the second big title wave of his club. He wasn’t always part of the starting line ups, but he did when there was a derby against Real Betis, for example. And he was the MVP. He will give his best to lift the trophy, that’s for sure.
Who else has been important on their path to their final?
I’d say that manager Unai Emery, sporting director Monchi and the crowd have been key in every sense. It’s their motivation. It’s helped them to became what they are now. In every successful season for Sevilla, there have been three fundamental pillars: a demanding president, a demanding coach and thousands of demanding fans.
Sevilla haven’t won a single away league game this season. Do they struggle to perform on their travels?
Curiously, that hasn’t been a problem during the Europa League tournament. It can be anything: coincidence, paranoia (as the season progresses) or a tactical weakness.
What about their style? Do you expect them to sit back and then look to hit Liverpool on the counter attack?
It could be a possibility, of course. However, Sevilla are not like Atlético Madrid. They’re good at defending, of course, but Emery doesn’t enjoy being ‘bombarded’ by the rival. Neither do his players. I bet they will launch attacks at any moment, whether Liverpool are in control or not. They have good playmakers and attackers, and they won’t hesitate to use them.
Both clubs were offered 9,000 tickets for the final, Sevilla only accepted 7,000. Why was that and do you think the extra support Liverpool have inside St Jakob-Park will work in their favour?
Obviously, the Liverpool crowd is the most decisive in football. But don’t underestimate ‘Sevillistas’, because they’ve driven Sevilla to victory so many times. Besides, I predict a huge anthems war between both groups of fans.
How have preparations for the final gone? Unai Emery has been resting players hasn’t he?
Sevilla’s three last defeats in La Liga are not a coincidence. Obviously, Emery lined up youths and substitutes to keep his best men fresh because they’ll play two finals this week.
The physical limitations I talked about before are a serious worry for him. He’s working hard with Gameiro, Banega and company to lift the two trophies, that’s for sure. But, what kind of preparations are they having? That’s a mystery. Emery likes to work behind closed doors every week, no matter who he is facing.
What do they make of Liverpool? Anyone Sevilla are worried about?
In comparison with their previous rivals in Europa League finals (Middlesbrough, Espanyol, Benfica and Dnipro), Liverpool is different, top class, a five star rival which will make it harder for Sevilla to reach their target.
However, Sevilla fans’ faith in their team is outstanding. No matter who’s in front of them, they’ll fight until the end to be the winners.
The last UEFA Super Cup is a good example, because they almost upset Barcelona in a game that finished 5-4. The club anthem says: “They never surrender.”
What’s your prediction for the final?
I’m not sure who’ll lift the Europa League trophy but I’m pretty convinced that we’ll see goals and an exciting game. Liverpool will need to be at their best because they will face a team with plenty of believers. Klopp knows better than anyone that it’s very difficult to beat a team which never surrenders.
James Pearce spoke to Carlos García Urbano, a Sevilla-based Spanish football journalist, to get the lowdown on the Andalusian outfit.
Sevilla have lifted this competition four times over the past decade. Why have they had such an impressive record in it?
Sevilla’s chairman has referred to it as “our trophy” since they lifted it last season. The old UEFA Cup changed Sevilla in so many ways in 2006 that they fell in love with Europe’s second competition.
They have an outstanding record with four victories. Club presidents José María del Nido first, José Castro now and sporting director Monchi, grew a winner mentality that has spread to every player who has gone through the team for the past 10 years.
No club has ever won the Europa League three years in a row. Do they fancy their chances of making history against Liverpool?
If there’s any club that really believes in its possibilities at any time, that’s Sevilla.
In 2014, they overcame many difficult situations until they reached the final with a 90th minute winner against Valencia. They beat Porto and local enemies Real Betis on the way.
Sevilla fans have developed an extraordinary faith in their players and technical staff through the years. They truly believe Sevilla is able to make anything possible. Why wouldn’t they believe they can beat Liverpool? It won’t be easy but they’re still very hungry.
What are Sevilla’s main strengths?
Their offensive skills are lethal. They’re also really fast and technical. But if we talk about creation, Ever Banega is their most important man.
He makes his mates play and leads them to the goal. And, of course, Klopp’s players must be very careful at set-pieces. Unai Emery is a master at strategy. You’ll never know what he can invent next.
Any weaknesses that Liverpool can look to exploit?
The truth is that, despite his strategist fame, Emery hasn’t got his team to defend set-plays properly this season. At least, not in such an effective way as the previous two seasons.
Although having Adil Rami on the squad, Sevilla have struggled playing the ball out from defence sometimes this year. For example, Klopp’s gegenpressing style of football could cause so much damage to them.
The physical side has been a huge handicap for Sevilla this year. Despite the great shape they’ve shown in Europe and the cup, the thing is that Emery and his staff have worked very hard to keep his most important men healthy.
Kevin Gameiro, who has played almost every game, has been key. However, Fernando Llorente has proved not to be good enough to be his replacement. Therefore, the Frenchman carries an enormous load. Konoplyanka has also disappointed Sevilla fans. They expected more from him.
Top scorer Kevin Gameiro looks a threat. Is he the real dangerman?
Yes, he is. However, Liverpool must pay attention to the men who build Sevilla’s offensive chances, such as Ever Banega, Vitolo and Vicente Iborra (when he plays right behind the main forward).
But the wingers (Vitolo, Konoplyanka...) are the real drivers of Sevilla, in my opinion. They give speed and danger in every ball. Even the right and left backs (Trémoulinas, Coke, Mariano, Escudero...) join the ‘party’ frequently, misleading rival’s defenders and creating really good chances of scoring.
What about captain Jose Antonio Reyes? It’s a long time since he played in England for Arsenal. Is he still going strong?
He is a special case. Despite not being the youngest player in the squad, he always appears in the big dates. When he returned to Sevilla in 2012, he didn’t imagine that he could be part of the second big title wave of his club. He wasn’t always part of the starting line ups, but he did when there was a derby against Real Betis, for example. And he was the MVP. He will give his best to lift the trophy, that’s for sure.
Who else has been important on their path to their final?
I’d say that manager Unai Emery, sporting director Monchi and the crowd have been key in every sense. It’s their motivation. It’s helped them to became what they are now. In every successful season for Sevilla, there have been three fundamental pillars: a demanding president, a demanding coach and thousands of demanding fans.
Sevilla haven’t won a single away league game this season. Do they struggle to perform on their travels?
Curiously, that hasn’t been a problem during the Europa League tournament. It can be anything: coincidence, paranoia (as the season progresses) or a tactical weakness.
What about their style? Do you expect them to sit back and then look to hit Liverpool on the counter attack?
It could be a possibility, of course. However, Sevilla are not like Atlético Madrid. They’re good at defending, of course, but Emery doesn’t enjoy being ‘bombarded’ by the rival. Neither do his players. I bet they will launch attacks at any moment, whether Liverpool are in control or not. They have good playmakers and attackers, and they won’t hesitate to use them.
Both clubs were offered 9,000 tickets for the final, Sevilla only accepted 7,000. Why was that and do you think the extra support Liverpool have inside St Jakob-Park will work in their favour?
Obviously, the Liverpool crowd is the most decisive in football. But don’t underestimate ‘Sevillistas’, because they’ve driven Sevilla to victory so many times. Besides, I predict a huge anthems war between both groups of fans.
How have preparations for the final gone? Unai Emery has been resting players hasn’t he?
Sevilla’s three last defeats in La Liga are not a coincidence. Obviously, Emery lined up youths and substitutes to keep his best men fresh because they’ll play two finals this week.
The physical limitations I talked about before are a serious worry for him. He’s working hard with Gameiro, Banega and company to lift the two trophies, that’s for sure. But, what kind of preparations are they having? That’s a mystery. Emery likes to work behind closed doors every week, no matter who he is facing.
What do they make of Liverpool? Anyone Sevilla are worried about?
In comparison with their previous rivals in Europa League finals (Middlesbrough, Espanyol, Benfica and Dnipro), Liverpool is different, top class, a five star rival which will make it harder for Sevilla to reach their target.
However, Sevilla fans’ faith in their team is outstanding. No matter who’s in front of them, they’ll fight until the end to be the winners.
The last UEFA Super Cup is a good example, because they almost upset Barcelona in a game that finished 5-4. The club anthem says: “They never surrender.”
What’s your prediction for the final?
I’m not sure who’ll lift the Europa League trophy but I’m pretty convinced that we’ll see goals and an exciting game. Liverpool will need to be at their best because they will face a team with plenty of believers. Klopp knows better than anyone that it’s very difficult to beat a team which never surrenders.
So much optimism.... I'll balance it out. Loss.
Crazy optimism,
On one hand yes we could blow them away but we know next to nothing about them, they could rip us a new one.
I'm just enjoying the fact we have a major final in May.
We should be. We're the home team.
Why? There seems to be this myth that he's terrible. He's been a good signing, his positioning is great and he's usually dependable, give or take the odd blip (like any defender).
His age is neither here nor there, when he's been called upon in the right setup (ie not one with half a team of reserves), he's put in reliable performances.
I'd be more worried about Moreno or Ming. Collectively we need to be on our game, but those two are the most likely to have brainfarts.
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Toure has been extremely good in the big games & more reliable than most of our centre backs can claim to have been this season.
He very often gets done for pace, (mostly when savvy strikers turn him) but as Carra did he has that wealth of experience in reading the game to make himself extra time to get a tackle or block in, which often makes up for it.
He very often gets done for pace, (mostly when savvy strikers turn him) but as Carra did he has that wealth of experience in reading the game to make himself extra time to get a tackle or block in, which often makes up for it.
Toure has indeed been good, I just can't seem to feel as confident as others do.
Not saying he will make a mistake, I just think this stage is too big for him in his age.
Much depends on how tight we remain at the back. Too much pressing and we can be left exposed & Toure will find it difficult against this level of opposing players, and this is not Man City in a league game, this is a European final, the opposition will be up for it.
Not saying he will make a mistake, I just think this stage is too big for him in his age.
Much depends on how tight we remain at the back. Too much pressing and we can be left exposed & Toure will find it difficult against this level of opposing players, and this is not Man City in a league game, this is a European final, the opposition will be up for it.
I can see goals in this. We'll go at them, they'll be dangerous on the counter. It won't be good for the old ticker.
Liverpool to win 3-2.
Liverpool to win 3-2.
Banega has apparently agreed terms with Inter. Could have an influence tonight.
Gamerio is a good and quick striker in great form. Thought Toure handled Bakambu really well though and he's a similar type of striker, so there is a bit of pace left in him.
He'll be alright and his experience will be key tonight I think.
According to the Echo it could be his last game for us. Hopefully he'll stay on as a coach.
Gamerio is a good and quick striker in great form. Thought Toure handled Bakambu really well though and he's a similar type of striker, so there is a bit of pace left in him.
He'll be alright and his experience will be key tonight I think.
According to the Echo it could be his last game for us. Hopefully he'll stay on as a coach.
Yeah, I'm confident about Kolo. When we lost to Real at the Bernabeu he was the one Liverpool player who really stepped up.
Also hope we can keep him at Anfield in some capacity. It's good to have people like that around the club, whatever job they do.
Also hope we can keep him at Anfield in some capacity. It's good to have people like that around the club, whatever job they do.
So, barring some injury or last minute tactical change, there's little or no debate or doubt about the team Klopp will pick?
Mig
Clyne - Lovren - Toure - Moreno
Milner - Can
Lallana - Firmino - Coutinho
Sturridge
Mig
Clyne - Lovren - Toure - Moreno
Milner - Can
Lallana - Firmino - Coutinho
Sturridge
Maybe have him managing the help
That would certainly be my choice.
I don't get disheartened when a manager chooses a different side to my first choice anymore though, I've learned that they're invariably better at managing teams than I am for some reason.
For that reason if Klopp differs from that I'm not going to throw my toys out of the window & panic!
What odds for Moreno to score against his former club ?
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I'm actually dead excited about this game, which is probably a bad sign.
@Arn and @My_Blood_Bleeds_Red please disable your Tapatalk signatures
http://www.sixcrazyminutes.com/index.php?threads/tapatalk-signature.84132/
@Arn dont take the piss. 😀
Thanks
http://www.sixcrazyminutes.com/index.php?threads/tapatalk-signature.84132/
@Arn dont take the piss. 😀
Thanks
It would be utter tomfoolery to underestimate Sevilla who have won this cup many times.
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