MERCADO MATCHES SCOTTA RECORD: GOALS IN BOTH DEBUT-SEASON DERBIES

He’s not played for San Lorenzo, he’s not a forward and he’s not got blond hair… Garbiel Mercardo started his career at Racing Club and is a defender, but that hasn’t stopped him equalling Héctor Horacio Scotta’s record 40 years after the 1976/77 season, in which the Argentine scored in and won both derbies in his debut season in his first season with Sevilla FC.

History often repeats itself in curious ways in football, and the versatile Argentina international defender, like Scott, scored his first goal as a Sevilla plauer in the home Derbi at the Sánchez-Pizjuán. Scott’s first strike came in the second game of the 76/77 season when, after missing a penalty on his debut against Elche, he scored the only goal in Sevilla’s win at the Estadio Benito Villamarín in September 1976.

In the second half of the season, Scott scored again in a 3-2 away win over Betis, just as Mercado did in Saturday’s 2-1 victory.

Never since Scotta, had a signing in their debut season scored in both La Liga games against Sevilla’s fierce rival.  Mercado is not a player known for his goals but this season the defender has already converted three times, all in games that Sevilla have won, including the goal he scored in the last minute away at Deportivo La Coruña.