A TESTING TRIP TO ZARAGOZA IN THE CUP

The team kicked off 2022 with three points on Monday night, but now it's time for the first Copa del Rey match of the new year. The injury problems that plagued Julen Lopetegui's squad ahead of the trip to the Nuevo Mirandilla have not subsided - in fact, the coach has even fewer options to call upon for this fixture. The Moroccan trio of Bono, En-Nesyri and Munir have now departed for international duty at AFCON 2021, and Fernando picked up an injury during the win at Cádiz. On top of that, both Jesús Navas and Thomas Delaney have not travelled with the squad to Aragón. 

In addition to all the injury problems, this is the cup, with its relatively new, difficult format. Sevilla needed extra time to overcome Segunda RFEF side Córdoba, and penalties to beat fellow fourth-tier team Andratx, but this team round they are facing a real cup team in Real Zaragoza. They have won the Copa del Rey on no fewer than six occasions, one more than Sevilla. In fact, only five teams have won the competition more than Real Zaragoza: FC Barcelona, Athletic Club, Real Madrid, Atlético de Madrid and Valencia CF. They have also been runners-up five times, again, once more than Sevilla. 

Zaragoza are 16th in LaLiga Smartbank after a defeat to Mirandés

However, the Aragonese side are facing tough times, and that's not just because of absences. Today, the club confirmed two positive cases of COVID-19 in their squad. They are also in the bottom half of LaLiga Smartbank, in 16th place. They are six points above the drop zone, and eight points off the play-off places. They got the year underway with a 2-0 defeat away at Mirandés. As for their cup run, they progressed thanks to victories against CD Mensajero and Burgos CF. 

It's been nine years since Sevilla's last visit to La Romareda. In fact, it was almost exactly nine years to the day, and it was also a Copa del Rey tie. That clash was Unai Emery's first match as coach, and the teams played out a goalless draw in the first leg. Sevilla came out on top in the second leg, with a 4-0 win. Valentín Pizarro Gómez, from Madrid, will referee this match. He has officiated six Sevilla matches before - three wins, two draws and one defeat, including this season's draw in Elche and a win at home to Levante. As for his record with Zaragoza, they have four wins, one draw and two losses.