Muriel of Sevilla FC in the 17/18 away clash with Girona FC
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OBLIGATORY RETURN TO FORM IN THE LEAGUE AFTER CUP SUCCESS

10/02/2018
After the Cup party, a win in La Liga in the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán is crucial. An unforseen dry spell of two months without a win at home - with two draws and Derby Day loss - mean that the fixture against Girona FC (one of the in-form teams of league) is a hugely important one. It's the first of nine games left in Nervión in the fight for European football

A make or break La Liga fixture in the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán between Sevilla FC and Girona FC. The first ever fixture in the Spanish footballing elite between the two sides in Montilivi ended in a 0-1 Sevilla victory (with the scoring debut of Luis Muriel); now, nearly five months on, both teams meet again in the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán with Girona riding the La Liga wave and Sevilla in the Final of the Copa del Rey. Pablo Machín's side look to be a dangerous opponent with impressive away stats: the team has only lost three of eleven La Liga matches away from home with more losses on home territory (4). The side are currently sit 9th in the table, with equal points to those in 8th and only 2 below Sevilla FC. 

Against an opponent that is currently showing fantastic form in La Liga, Montella's Sevilla side needs to once again kickstart a habit of triumph at home, something that hasn't been seen since the beginning of December when they came up against Deportivo (2-0). The Nervión fortress, paired with recent doubts amongst the side have proved incapable, up until now, of securing anything more than a draw (against both Levante and Getafe), before and after the disappointing defeat in the derby. However, with their recent passage to the Copa del Rey Final, the injection of confidence is an added bonus that should see a newly energised and revitalised team in La Liga competition. 

Cup finalists - revitalised - should look to kickstart its strong form in La Liga against an opponent that has gone one month undefeated 

Despite their recent promotion, the Girona side have played their last four fixtures undefeated. An impressive scoreline against Las Palmas (6-0), a draw at both the Metropolitano (1-1) and La Rosaleda  (0-0) and a 2-0 win at home against Athletic Club just last week. The Club boasts an impressive, positive, goal difference statistic (31-29), whilst Sevilla's sits in negative figures (28-34). 

 

The big names amongst the Girona FC ranks - Stuani and Portu - are astonishing everyone with their respective performances so far this season. Of the team's 31 goals scored, the pair have been behind 20 of them. A total of 12 for the Uruguayan (4th highest goal scorer in the competition) and the remaining 8 scored by Cristian Portugués, Portu, the only member of the squad to have played all 22 matches, both players having been hailed with praise for their performance and form throughout the competition.   

The Uruguayan Stuani (12) and Portu (8), have together scored an impressive two thirds of Girona's goals (31); the Murcia born player is the only teammember to have played in all 22 clashes

Five months ago in the first-leg in Montilivi, the two sides showed off their best performances and, despite Sevilla FC bagging the victory with the debutant Luis Muriel's first goal in the Sevilla shirt, Pablo Machín's side were close to equalising with the creation of clear opportunities in front of the goal and a missed penalty. Montella's side has changed since then to say the least. In fact, half of the starting 11 for the away fixture no longer play. However, above all, the team appear to be more reliable, compact and competitive. A perfect example is the performances of the very same Muriel, who since the teams' first encounter is brimming with confidence and has found a new hunger for goals. 

Nine home games and seven away games remain for the Sevilla side: Nervión will play a key role para intentar el ‘sorpasso’ liguero

In this midday clash, Montella's Sevilla must look to refind their success in La Liga. Of the three matches at the Sánchez-Pizjuán the Italian coach has overseen, the team have only managed to pick up two of a possible nine points. It's lost ground which must be recovered if Sevilla are to hold on to any chance of Champions League qualification this season. With nine games left at home and seven away - with eye-watering fixtures still to come in Nervión that could turn the Nervionenses' league fortunes on their head - there can be only one outcome this Sunday against Girona FC... win and win well.