Coach Julen Lopetegui believes Sevilla are in for a tough test against ‘the best strategic team in England’ when they take on West Ham United in the UEFA Europa League round-of-16 second-leg, speaking to El Desmarque.
When the dust settles on a 1-0 defeat at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, David Moyes and co may see this as an opportunity missed.
After all, this was a Sevilla side without the likes of Erik Lamela, one-time West Ham target Gonzalo Montiel and star centre-back Diego Carlos. Ivan Rakitic was withdrawn during the warm-up.
And Anthony Martial, a player who scored six goals against the Hammers for Manchester United, was only fit enough for the bench.
But, as luck would have it, a player only included in Lopetegui’s XI due to Rakitic’s sudden availability was the one who made the difference in Andalusia.
Munir El Haddadi had already missed two presentable chances on the night. But it was a classic case of third time lucky as he swept the sweetest of volleys into the corner midway through the second half.
Nonetheless, the eternally cautious Lopetegui is not getting carried away just yet.
Can West Ham still beat Sevilla?
“We are going to suffer (in the second leg),” says the former Spain and Real Madrid boss, who turned down Tottenham Hotspur last year.
“We were at the halfway point and the most difficult thing remains for us. (West Ham) are the best strategic team in England.”
Lopetegui was at pains to point out that, just a few days ago, West Ham threatened to end Liverpool’s year-long unbeaten run at Anfield. A run that would come to an end just three days later when Inter Milan came to town.
“They gave Liverpool a shake,” Lopetegui adds. “The most important thing is attitude and the character that the players had (in the first-leg win). This result leaves both swords raised.”
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