Sevilla, marked by injuries and doubts against West Ham

Sevilla faces this Thursday at the Sánchez Pizjuán the first leg of the Europa League round of 16 against West Ham worried about the plague of injuries that has left the king of the competition depleted at a key moment of the season. Against a rival as physical as the English team, “of a very high level”, as Julen Lopetegui warns, the absences, especially in defense, will require Sevilla to make an extra effort to continue their path to the final on May 18 at their stadium, with the theoretical disadvantage of playing the second leg in London. “We have a lot of casualties, too many,” laments the Sevilla coach, alluding to Diego Carlos, Montiel, Rekik, Fernando, Delaney and Papu Gómez, in addition to the long-term Suso and Lamela, although he recovers Martial for such a transcendental match .

Despite the doubts that also surround their fans now that the League is more than a dream, Sevilla clings to their favorite tournament and the support of Pizjuán to try to deal the first blow to the sixth-placed Premier. “The atmosphere and encouragement from the public is going to be very important and we are going to need it, due to our situation and the rival’s level,” acknowledges Lopetegui, convinced that the Sevilla fans will transmit their energy once again. Despite their serious setbacks and their sad participation in the Champions League, Sevilla have prevailed at home in their last two European games (2-0 against Wolfsburg and 3-1 against Dinamo Zagreb) and trust in communion with the stands in this hard crossing of the Europa League after being paired with the most difficult opponent that could touch him in the draw.

West Ham lost last Saturday at Anfield against Liverpool by the minimum (1-0) and at home, at least on the continent, they are showing signs of their potential, since they did not suffer any defeat in the group stage, to become in the lead, and with only three goals conceded in six games. For Sevilla it will therefore be a demanding test, taking into account that the return in the English capital is presumed to be even more complicated, although it could recover some of its important troops now absent. In any case, Ocampos and En-Nesyri will not be lacking in attack at Pizjuán, to try to break the resistance of a very reliable West Ham that threatens Sevilla’s hegemony, although Lopetegui also recalls that no one can beat their team by illusion.