Xavi García Pimienta speaks of a “high-demand match” against an opponent currently lower in the standings but who has lost only one of seven away games.
Football returns to the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán for the only match in this calendar phase between the October and November breaks, which will come after their visit to Leganés. Real Sociedad arrives in Nervión, reopening its doors to host a Sevilla side that hasn’t played in front of their fans since Sunday, October 6, during the derby. The support of the fans played a crucial role in securing that victory. Now, although the opponent doesn’t inspire a similar level of motivation among players or supporters, both must respond in unison as they did almost a month ago. Real Sociedad is not the most pleasant guest this season, despite having three points fewer than Sevilla and sitting in twelfth place.
The team, led by Imanol, who took charge at Anoeta in March 2018 and is now entering his sixth season with the txuri urdin, is not in particularly robust form. They have experienced better competitive phases and are actually below Sevilla in the standings after the eleventh matchday, breaking the habit of recent seasons. However, their visiting credentials can be daunting. They have only lost one away game out of the seven played in La Liga and the Europa League.
Their only defeat came in matchday seven against Mallorca (1-0). However, they managed to secure wins away at Espanyol (0-1), Girona (0-1), and Maccabi (1-2); and they also came away unbeaten from their visits to Getafe (0-0), Valladolid (0-0), and Nice (1-1). In total, they have three wins, three draws, and that solitary defeat. In stark contrast, their home record shows only one victory against five losses and a draw between La Liga and the UEL.
The statistics are striking. Furthermore, Real Sociedad retains the identity that has made them a formidable opponent in recent years under Imanol. Inconsistent, yes, but very dangerous. “We have a more demanding match against Real Sociedad, a team playing in the Europa League, with incredible football and numerous international players. They recently faced a setback against Osasuna at home (0-2), but their performances in the Europa League (1-2) and against Girona (0-1) show all the potential they possess,” García Pimienta stated in his pre-match press conference.
He described the encounter as “a match of maximum demand, requiring concentration, being proactive, solidarity in defense, avoiding mistakes, and going for the win at all times.” “It will be a long match, and the level of the opponent demands our full attention,” said the Barcelona native, who appealed for unity between the team and the fans, similar to the hard-fought victories against Getafe, Valladolid, and Betis, which involved three late red cards: Juanlu, Marcao, and Nianzou. “We cannot lose that; we have managed to play very well at home with our supporters, who never stop cheering and have backed us during challenging moments,” he recalled, urging awareness of the upcoming battle.
“I have a good feeling about our current dynamic, but we have not even reached 50% of our points,” he reiterated. “This match will continue to assess us as a team and our potential for growth. We are obligated to compete at 100%, to show our best version, and to make our fans proud of us,” García Pimienta said when asked whether this match would refine Sevilla’s targets. “We need to set our goals further down the line, and by matchday 32 or 33, we’ll see what we can aspire to,” he concluded. Now, a Real team arrives that was capable of winning in Nervión two years ago, although it is true that the last decade has seen Sevilla dominate: 6 wins, 2 draws, and 2 losses.
