Sevilla To Dial Up The Pressure On Atletico?

SuperSport viewers on DStv and GOtv can look forward to a classic La Liga rivalry, as Sevilla plays host to Atletico Madrid at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on the evening of Saturday 18 December 2021.

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SuperSport is also the only place to get English commentary on the legendary La Liga. Sevilla are looking to remain relevant in the title race – or at least stay in a good position to finish in the top four and qualify for next season’s UEFA Champions League – while Atletico must keep up a strong pace if they are to have a realistic prospect of retaining their crown.

“We have always had challenges. I am optimistic, always, I am, and I will never change,” said Atletico manager Diego Simeone. “There are many games left in the season, many twists and turns for us to navigate, but also for other teams to deal with. We will focus on our own journey and ensure that we are in the race near the end of the season.”

Sevilla boss Julen Lopetegui, meanwhile, is hoping his team has better luck against a capital city giant after their recent 2-1 loss to Real Madrid was blighted by VAR missing what appeared to be a clear penalty for Los Nervionenses.

“Everything that could have gone against us, has been given,” said Sevilla’s manager. “They tell me that the penalty is very clear, they didn’t want to review it and after that, they make the decision and we have to abide by it. All the details, including that one, they have come out.”

Key players

Lucas Ocampos – The Argentine winger will be eager to prove himself against Atletico, having enjoyed a solid season thus far. The 27-year-old will look to ghost into the half-spaces between full-back and central defense to cause real trouble for the visitors.

Luis Suarez – The veteran Uruguayan striker cannot play every game for Atletico, with manager Diego Simeone constantly managing his amount of playing time, but he will surely be unleashed for this key clash against Los Nervionenses.

Head-to-head stats

In head-to-head stats, Sevilla and Atletico have met in 55 matches across all competitions dating back as far as 1993. Both Los Nervionenses and Los Rojiblancos have claimed 18 wins, with 19 games ending as draws.

The teams each claimed a home win over the other last season: Atletico triumphed 2-0 at Estadio Wanda Metropolitano in January 2021, while Sevilla took the return game at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan 1-0 in April 2021.

Battles to watch

Julen Lopetegui v Diego Simeone – Two inherently conservative coaches, the onus will be on Lopetegui to set his team up in a more attacking fashion, given that they are the hosts, which will allow Simeone to emphasize his team’s pace and power on transition.

Rafa Mir v Stefan Savic – Mir has emerged as one of the most promising Spanish strikers in La Liga in the past couple of years, but he’ll need to be at his sharpest to get the better of the experienced Stefan Savic in central defense.

Ivan Rakitic v Koke – Two classy, deep-lying playmakers, Rakitic and Koke will battle for ascendancy in the ‘engine room’ and look to lay the foundation for their team to control the match.

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Match broadcast details

All times CAT

Saturday 18 December

22:00: Sevilla v Atletico Madrid – LIVE on SuperSport La Liga, SuperSport Maximo 2 and SuperSport GOtv La Liga