FAMOUS FIVE
SEVILLA’S MEN TO WATCH
MANCHESTER City welcome Sevilla to the Etihad Stadium tomorrow looking to extend their 100 per cent record against the Spanish outfit.
A dead rubber on home soil lets the Citizens take on La Liga side with their Champions League destiny already sealed.
Pep Guardiola’s side coasted into the last 16 of the Champions League with a goalless draw at Borussia Dortmund last week while Sevilla, due to the head-to-head ruling, have no chance of reaching the knockout stages.
City have a chance to rotate their side ahead of a crucial Premier League clash with Fulham next weekend.
As expected, Man City will head into the game as overwhelming favourites having defeated Sevilla every time the two have met.
Three wins from three outings gives the Citizens a perfect record over Los Hispalenses, with the most recent triumph the 4-0 hiding dished out at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium in September.
Sitting 17th in La Liga, the visitors have endured a disastrous campaign but do boast some household names who, providing they click, could cause an upset on Wednesday night.
Among the ones to watch are:
Erik Lamela
An eight-year career at Tottenham Hotspur makes Lamela a familiar face to English supporters.
The Argentine bagged a 4-1 win against City in September 2015 but failed to assert himself as a regular in North London.
Sevilla have played Lamela as a makeshift striker this season, a position he played in their 1-0 defeat to Rayo Vallecano at the weekend.
A player prone to producing the spectacular, he could be one to watch on Wednesday.
Isco
The former Real Madrid star has five Champions League medals to his name but has struggled for form in recent years.
Attempting to rebuild his career in Seville has not worked out so far due to the precarious league position but form is temporary, class is permanent, as they say.
Isco was linked with a Premier League move but signed a two-year deal to remain in Spain. Could he roll back the years to inflict misery on his compatriot in the home dugout?
Oliver Torres
Torres is one of the only Sevilla players to warrant any credit this season. Despite playing in midfield, he is the club’s top scorer - with three goals.
The Spaniard came through the ranks at Atletico Madrid before spending five years at Porto. A gifted midfielder, Torres was part of the side which won the 2019 Europa League.
Ivan Rakitic
Another ageing - but highly decorated - La Liga veteran, Rakitic is enjoying his second stint at Sevilla after leaving Barcelona in 2020.
The Croat yields bags of experience, as England fans will know from the 2018 World Cup semi-final.
Should Kevin De Bruyne be rested in midweek, Rakitic may fancy himself to win the midfield battle.
Adnan Januzaj
The ex-Manchester United prodigy was once billed as a potential Ballon d’Or winner but his career has never realised its potential.
Since arriving at Sevilla in August, the 27-year-old has barely featured, which makes him a wildcard selection on this list.