Every time I watch Espanyol play Sevilla, in whatever format since it’s rare that we get to see other than the usual big 4 games here in the States, I’m reminded of that magical night in Scotland where Espanyol almost, and should have won, the UEFA Cup final. Sevilla did well that night don’t get me wrong, but Espanyol looked hungrier more direct and even when down to 10 men with the loss of Moises Hurtado, they battled and sent the game to penalties.
This game, was nothing like that one. Sevilla were playing without key players like Chevanton who was hurt, and Dani Alves and Keita who were suspended, but for the fourth game in five Espanyol failed to step up to the challenge, especially when their nearest rivals Villareal and Atletico Madrid both lost. With this run of form they’re only 5 points and 4 clubs away from 9th, with both Sevilla and “lowly” Almeria just 3 points shy. I know they have injuries, all clubs do at this point of the season, and I grant you that not many would have withstood the shock to the system that is losing Raul Tamudo, but give me a break already. The problem isn’t about scoring goals. It’s the back line.
Espanyol came out flat again, lost their concentration, let in a couple of easy goals one by Kanoute and the other by his strike partner and hopeful pichichi winner Luis Fabiano, with Clemente being especially useless, but Riera and Garcia both showed some much needed determination, the latter getting us within a goal before halftime. We came out sharp, but a second bout with stupidity saw Zabaleta sent off for bringing Capel down, a professional foul but he was already carrying a yellow which makes it a semi-pro foul.
That’s when Sevilla went for the kill. Capel and yellow-card magnet Poulsen both scored to put the game away even if a pretty goal on a half-volley by Coro really impressed even. It was too little too late.
What this sets up is a pressurized last few months, filled with some key matches. Next week, it’s at the Riazor against Depor which looks winnable and it’s away finally so that we can get out of Barcelona for a change, but then it’s Valencia followed by Real Madrid, and a succession of tough midtable sides like Racing and Mallorca sandwiched around relegation contenders Murcia.
It’s going to be tough, but some bright lights are appearing. The contract talks for Valverde and keeper Carlos Kameni are being fastracked and even better news, Raul Tamudo who had his sights on returning for the Real Madrid game in March, is now cautiously optimistic that he’ll be there for the match at home against Valencia.
Cue the Leonard Cohen: “Hallelujah”
