Ahead of tonight’s UEFA Champions League tie at the Emirates Stadium versus Sevilla, which will be refereed by István Kovács, I spoke to one of their supporters. Thank you to Chris from Monchi’s Men Forum for answering the questions!
How long have you supported Sevilla?
I’ve been a Sevilla fan since around 2010 when I finally started getting into football.
What are your hopes and expectations for the 2023/24 season?
I’m looking for stability. After last season and a managerial firing already this season, stability is what we have to find.
What are your views on your manager?
We are about 5 games into Diego Alonso’s career with Sevilla and I’m still not convinced either way. We started well against Real Madrid and even in the Arsenal loss, but we have regressed back to our old ways and that is extremely disappointing.
Style of play and tactics – direct/passing/hybrid?
Our play is very predictable. We pass out to the wings and hope a cross lands on the head of our goal scorer.
One(s) to watch now and in the future?
The most intriguing player to watch at the moment is Lukebakio. He started the season really well, went on international duty with Belgium and scored a brace, but then came back looking like a totally different player. He’s important to our attack and if he can find his game, he could cause teams issues.
For the future, we have our eye on Juanlu who has started to emerge from the academy into a rotational starter at RB. Hopefully, his game can continue to progress and eventually take over for Jesus Navas. We have some exciting youth prospects in the academy such as Ibra Sow, a 16-year-old who is starting to get some run with our B team. Oso a left wing/back at 20 years old has really improved along with some others.
Random fact about your Club?
Sevilla is the oldest club in Spain devoted primarily to football. Starting in 1890 from some Scottish expats.
Sevilla have won 7 Europa League trophies, by far the most of any other club.
The great Maradona played in Sevilla for one year in the 1992-1993 season scoring 5 goals.
Which were your favourite and least favourite matches involving Sevilla?
Sevilla have had some glorious matches. I believe my favourite was the COVID Europa League win. It was such a dire time in our lives and to have some glory from my beloved football club made it a bit better.
My least favourite is always not beating Betis. Those are all equally hated.
Which sides do you think will finish in the top five of La Liga and which do you think will finish in the bottom three?
Top Five: Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Girona and Real Sociedad.
Bottom Three: Almeria, Granada, Cadiz.
What are your thoughts on Arsenal?
I don’t really have much thoughts on Arsenal. To be fair, I don’t dedicate much time following the EPL so I don’t have any insight. I think they did our old manager Emery wrong and treated him very unfairly. I also think that Sevilla have a good chance of pulling a result if they fight and focus. Arsenal has some really talented players and can throw a ton of money at solving any problems they may have. It’s a luxury that Sevilla doesn’t have.
If you could steal one Arsenal player for your own team, who would it be and why?
You have so many really good players it makes it a tough question. Gabriel Jesus is something that we could use. A player at a striker position that can pick a pass. But frankly, almost all of your players could step over and become a key component for this Sevilla squad.
What is your prediction for this match?
We have disappointed Manchester United fans at Old Trafford in the Champions League and the Europa, so I say it’s time to do the same at the Emirates. 1-2 Sevilla.