Sevilla

[Pat Murphy]

Stadium: Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán
Capacity: 45,500
Club Founded: 1905
Manager: Juan de la Cruz Ramos
Nickname: Rojiblancos (Red-Whites)



Squad:

Goalkeepers
1. Andrés Palop
13. David Cobeño (On Loan to Almeria)
29. Javi Varas
-- Morgan De Sanctis

Defenders
2. Javi Navarro (C)
3. David (to Levante)
4. Daniel Alves
14. Julien Escudé
19. Ivica Dragutinovic
20. Aitor Ocio
24. Andreas Hinkel
28. Lolo
23. Fazio
-- Khalid Boulahrouz

Midfielders
5. Duda
6. Adriano
8. Christian Poulsen
11. Renato
15. Jesús Navas
16. Antonio Puerta
18. José Luis Martí
22. Fernando Sales
25. Enzo Maresca
27. Alfaro
30. Diego Capel
-- Tom de Mul
-- Seydou Keita

Strikers
7. Ernesto Javier Chevantón
9. Alexander Kerzhakov
10. Luis Fabiano
12. Frederic Kanouté

Players Out:
David to Levante on a free transfer
David Cobeño out on Loan to Almeria

Players in:
Tom de Mul from Ajax for £2.7m
Morgan de Sanctis on a free transfer (broke contract at Udinese)
Keita from Lens for £2.7m
Khalid Boulahrouz from Chelsea on a One Season Loan

[Trim]

Frédéric Kanouté faces a race against time to be fit for the derby encounter against Real Betis as he continues to struggle with a groin injury.

The Malian striker is being carefully watched by the Sevilla coaching staff during training and they are prepared to pull him out if he shows any sign of aggravating the problem.

"We are worried about him," confirmed Ramos. "We are having to weigh up what to do about him.

"The main thing is to ensure that he returns to 100 per cent fitness because we do not want him to play at anything less."

After playing in the Copa Del Rey first leg meeting with Betis last week, Kanouté was rested for the goalless draw against Real Sociedad at the weekend.

Now the two clubs meet again in the league as a resurgent verdiblanco outfit look to dent their arch rivals quest for the league title.

The former West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur striker has become a key component in the Spanish club's push for silverware, both domestically and in Europe.

After stating at the start of the current campaign that he was not a goalscorer and saw himself as a provider, Kanouté has now beaten his own personal best tally.

In his first season at Sevilla he scored just six league goals, and has never scored more than 11 in one season, but he already has 16 to his name this term.

Goal.com - Kanouté Doubtful For Derby Game

[Pat Murphy]

They have other options but they'll definately want him fit.

I'm looking forward to this game, Betis have hit some form over the last 3 games so this one should be a great game.

[Trim]

Real Betis extended their unbeaten run to four games, while Sevilla blew the chance to go first as the second derby meeting in ten days again ended in a 0-0 draw in the Ruiz de Lopera.

After failing to break the deadlock in the Copa Del Rey recently, the two teams locked horns in the league and could not find a goal between them.

Despite that, this encounter was fast and furious and with 26 attempts it was far from being a typical goalless draw and Betis even missed a penalty.

The atmosphere in the stadium was electric and, at times, over-the-top as objects were thrown from the stands with the home fans full of a renewed confidence after their team's recent run of good form.

Sevilla maybe chasing the title, while the Verdiblancos have been fighting relegation, but there was little difference between the sides in this game.

Robert was guilty of missing the hosts' clearest chances of the evening, but his first effort after two minutes showed Betis' attacking intent.

Andrés Palop did well to tip that shot away, but he was thankful moments later when David Rivas headed over the resulting corner.

In the 11th minute Betis were handed a golden chance to go ahead when Daniel Alves clipped Rafael Sobis in the area and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

The crowd went silent in anticipation, but instead of a roar there was disbelief as Robert hammered the spot-kick way over the crossbar from 12 yards.

Betis have been awarded the most penalties of any team in the top flight this season, with seven, and now have the unenviable record of having missed the most with three.

At the other end, Adriano saw a wild shot fly way off target, but the home team were in charge still as Sobis warmed Palop's gloves from distance.

Before the break, Juande Ramos' side did pull themselves in to the game and Fabiano, Alves, Cristian Poulsen, Daniel Navas and Frédéric Kanouté all tried their luck in front of goal.

Palop still had to be alert as Johan Vogel sent a swerving shot towards the far corner, only for the custodian to palm it away.

The second half continued at the same ferocious pace and Betis thought that they had the lead when Sobis pounced on a rebound, after the Sevilla keeper stopped Alberto Rivera's shot, but the effort was ruled out for offside.

Sevilla then had their best chance of the game when Adriano surged down the left of the area before his low cross saw Poulsen fall onto the ball and chest it onto the post, when he was perfectly-positioned to side-foot home.

Adriano, Kanouté and Navas all took aim when the visitors pushed forward before the end, but it was their opponents that blew the final clear chance.

As Alves paused on the ball Robert stole possession and was left with a one-on-one with the keeper, but the Brazilian rushed his shot and punted it straight at Palop.

A point each was probably fair, but it did neither side many favours for their respective aims in the league.

Goal.com - Primera Liga Report: Betis And Sevilla Draw Another Blank

[Trim]

Betis was better yesterday. Sevilla was very lucky not to concede a goal, as Betis had more then 10 brilliant chances + a penallty which they didn't use to score against Sevilla. Kanoute, which was reported doubtful, played, but yet, he couldn't do much. It wasn't their night yesterday. Dissapoint, cuz if Barca wins, they're extending their lead further more and that sucks.

[Trim]

Sevilla winger Adriano Correia will miss a series of crucial games for the team after being ruled out for at least three weeks with a muscle tear.

The Brazilian was injured during Thursday's Uefa Cup clash away to Steaua Bucharest, and tests carried out since have revealed a muscle injury that will take at least three wees to heal, if not more.

The news comes as a huge blow to Juande Ramos, who will now be without one of his key players for a number of important games.

In La Liga, Adriano will miss the games against in form Getafe, as well as the summit clash against leaders Barcelona, in addition to tomorrow's crunch clash against Atletico Madrid.

That is not all, as the winger will also miss the second leg of the Uefa Cup last 32 tie against Steaua Bucharest, and the second leg of the Copa del Rey quarter-final second leg against local rivals Real Betis.

Defenders Javi Navarro and Ivica Dragutinovic have also been ruled out of the Atletico Madrid games due to injuries.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Palop, Cobeño,

Defenders: Daniel Alves, Hinkel, Aitor Ocio, Escudé, David,

Midfielders: Puerta, Duda, Renato, Martí, Maresca, Poulsen, Jesús Navas, Alfaro

Forwards: Luis Fabiano, Kanouté, Chevantón, Kerzhakov

[Trim]

It was a breathtaking game of football as ten men Sevilla picked up a 3-1 win over Atletico Madrid to join Barcelona at the top of La Liga.

Sevilla came out as if they were playing the final twenty minutes of their lives, and took the game by the scruff of it's neck, and barely offered time to sit back.

The first goal came after some sustained pressure from them, when a defence-splitting pass from Daniel Alves found Kanoute in the 15th minute, and the Mali international raced onto it to beat an onrushing Leo Franco.

Jesus Navas created the second six minutes later, going into the area up the right, and passing it back to Alves after dragging defenders towards him.

The Brazilian did not let all that work come to nothing, and crashed a fierce drive into the far corner from the edge of the box.

The almost picked up a third when good build-up involving Brazilians Alves and Fabiano saw Puerta in space. However, the Spanish under-21 international sent it wide.

Sevilla were threatening to run riot, and a third was only a matter of time, it seemed.

But that was when tragedy struck, as they went down to ten men in the 36th minute (following a la Beckham hack from Marti). It was a decision that turned out to set the game up wonderfully!

Sevilla refused to lie low, and went for the kill, with a Daniel Alves free-kick being headed just over the bar - by an alert Fernando Torres. Luis Fabiano was sacrificed for Poulsen, as Juande Ramos reinforced his midfield just before the break.

Juande Ramos' boys then held their own against some intense Atleti pressure in the second half - with both sides trading blows - and finally responded with a third through a Kanoute header in the 73rd minute to seal the game.

Atleti pulled one back with ten minutes to go as Pablo tapped in after Palop saved a Torres penalty - won by Aguero - but there was never really a realistic threat.

Sevilla join Barcelona at the top of the table, looking the best side of the weekend by some distance, after a slow start to the new year had raise questions about their title credentials.

Sevilla: Palop - Alves, Ocio, Escude, David - Navas (Hinkel), Marti, Renato, (Duda) - Fabiano (Poulsen), Kanoute.

Atletico Madrid: Leo Franco - Seitaridis, Perea, Pablo, Pernia - Maniche, Luccin (Jurado), Costinha (Gabi) - Mista (Galleti), Torres, Aguero

Goals: 1-0 (Kanoute, 15'), 2-0 (Alves, 21'), 3-0 (Kanoute, 73'), 3-1 (Aguero, 81', pen.)

Goal.com - Primera Liga Report: Ten Men Sevilla Go Top With Thrilling Win

[Trim]

Good game by Sevilla yesterday. Kanoute is such a great target-man.
Was happy to see Sevilla winning and Barca loosing. They're equal with points now.

[Trim]

Mali striker Fredric Kanoute is not ruling out possibilities of leaving Spanish side Sevilla this summer though he has expressed happiness at the club.

The 29-year-old has made a lot of impression this season and is currently the leading goal scorer in La Liga with eighteen goals, having played twenty-three games.

Other clubs have reportedly started showing interest in signing him during the summer but the player does not seem to be keen on a move.

He admitted the interest from other clubs saying: "These are things to talk about with Monchi (Rodriguez, Sevilla's sporting director) and the club president and this will happen in the coming days."

He also expressed happiness with the club and their latest form is something that is making him consider a contract extension.

"I am very happy at Sevilla because now they are one of the best clubs around.

"It could be that it will be easier to fight for important things here than it would be at other clubs - in principal, it should be no problem to extend my contract here."

Kanoute’s is contracted with Sevilla until 2009 and has played a key role in helping the club maintain a good position in the league, currently placed second.

The striker moved from English Premiership club Tottenham Hotspur in 2005 in a deal worth US$8.5.

According to reports, Italian club Juventus are among clubs in the race to sign the Mali international.

Goal.com - Kanoute’s Stay At Sevilla Uncertain

[Trim]

Such a great striker... Scores often, and when you need the goal.
C'mon Hoeness, bring him @ Allianz!

[kyan]

The Copa del Rey tie between Real Betis and Sevilla was abandoned after Sevilla coach Juande Ramos was knocked out by an object thrown from the crowd.
The incident happened after Sevilla's Freddie Kanoute scored in Wednesday's quarter-final second leg match.

The Sevilla players left the pitch, causing the game to be halted, while Ramos reportedly regained consciousness after being treated by medical staff.

The first leg, which had been played at Sevilla's stadium, had finished 0-0.

The normal procedure in Spain when matches are called off is for the remaining minutes to be played at a later date.

The build-up to the Seville derby was dominated by arguments between the two clubs over whether or not Sevilla president Jose Maria del Nido would be allowed in the VIP box at the Betis stadium.

After mediation by the Andalucian regional government, Betis finally allowed Del Nido to attend the match although a number of fans threw objects at him as he took his seat.

There was further controversy because Betis had placed a bronze bust of Del Nido's arch-rival, Betis owner Manuel Ruiz de Lopera in a seat just behind the Sevilla president.

Last season's cup quarter-final second leg between Valencia and Deportivo Coruna was abandoned after a linesman was cut on the head by a coin thrown from the crowd.

The remaining 46 minutes were played behind closed doors one week later.

BBC SPORT | Football | Europe | Sevilla coach struck by missile


see that link for a picture^

Wow, he's very high profile as well, that is one heated derby.

Sevilla must be sweating right now as they host Barcelona this weekend.

It's out of order what the fans did, what is going on recently with all this fan trouble??

[MUFC]

It seems europe has a serious problem at the moment with the crowd trouble, i just dont get why there isnt more being done like what has been done in england. This is unacceptable what has happened again tonight.

[Pennywise]

So much hate between these Sevilla teams. Always trouble both on and outside the stadium when these teams are facing each other.

There have been plenty of fights in the city of Sevilla tonight and outside Real Betis stadium because several Sevilla fans did not get tickets for the match.

[Trim]

Damn, crazy...