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La Liga Preview: Tenerife - Sevilla
The visitors will be out to test their title credentials in a tricky trip to the Canary Islands...
| Bet: | Returns: | Sevilla £16.66 | Draw £34.00 | Osasuna £47.50 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Sevilla £17.50 | Draw £35.00 | Osasuna £47.50 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Sevilla £16.67 | Draw £36.00 | Osasuna £50.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Sevilla £17.30 | Draw £35.00 | Osasuna £50.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Sevilla £16.80 | Draw £34.00 | Osasuna £47.00 |
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Nov 20, 2009 6:09:55 PM
Kick Off: Saturday, November 21, 2009. 18:00 CET
Heliodoro Rodriguez Lopez, Tenerife
Heliodoro Rodriguez Lopez, Tenerife
Muted Greeting
When teams are promoted to the top division in any country the usual clichés are rolled out about them being favourites to make an immediate return to the second tier or that they are set for a year of adjustment if they are a fallen giant that has returned.
In Tenerife's case, their rise back to the top flight was met with a muted response. Indeed, their inconsistent start to the season has not been met with either surprise or predictions that they will only stay among the big boys for one term.
Three wins for any side who are still finding their level is not bad going, but it is the six defeats that would see people think that they will not be making any impression in the top ten in May.
Another element that the Canary Islanders need to address is their forward line. They have scored just seven times in ten matches and only the much-maligned Xerez have hit the net fewer times.
Third Place
The visit of a team who are being tipped as outsiders more than dark horses for a title tilt will be another stern test for Tenerife, but Sevilla will be aware that it will not be a case of turning up and walking away with the points.
Few pundits in Spain are ever willing to predict that Manolo Jimenez's team could actually achieve something as there is still that feeling that they are not quite consistent enough to compete.
Sitting three points behind Real Madrid in third place still means that they are looking up, and having finished in that same spot last season an improvement, however outrageous that may seem, will be demanded.
Beating teams like Tenerife is a must if the Andalucian outfit do want to be taken seriously. Having already lost twice this term they cannot not afford another slip this weekend.
RECENT FORM
Tenerife
Nov 10 LOST 1-0 (h) Celta Vigo (Copa del Rey)
Nov 7 DREW 2-2 (h) Malaga (League)
Nov 1 LOST 5-0 (a) Villarreal (League)
Oct 28 LOST 3-2 (a) Celta Vigo (Copa del Rey)
Oct 25 WON 1-0 (h) Xerez (League)
Sevilla
Nov 10 WON 5-1 (h) Atletico Ciudad (Copa del Rey)
Nov 8 WON 3-2 (h) Villarreal (League)
Nov 4 DREW 1-1 (h) Stuttgart (Champions League)
Oct 31 WON 2-0 (a) Xerez (League)
Oct 28 WON 4-2 (a) Atletico Ciudad (Copa del Rey)
TEAM NEWS
Tenerife
Daniel Kome is out of action with a muscle strain, while Alejandro Alfaro cannot play because he is on loan from Sevilla and the deal between the clubs prevents him from appearing. Omar Ramos returns after his trip with Spain's Under-21 side.
Probable Starting XI: (4-2-3-1) Aragoneses; Aitor Nunez, Manolo Martinez, Sicilia, Bellvis; Ricardo, Mikel Alonso; Juanlu, Roman, Omar Ramos; Nino.
Sevilla
The visitors still have a number of key players missing, with Andres Palop, Adriano, Julien Escude and Ivica Dragutinovic all unavailable for the encounter. The trio join Federico Fazio, Acosta, Aldo Duscher, Tom De Mul and Arouna Kone on the treatment table.
Probable Starting XI: (4-4-2) Varas; Konko, Squillaci, Sergio Sanchez, Navarro; Zokora, Renato, Navas, Perotti; Kanoute, Fabiano.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Omar Ramos (Tenerife)
At 21, Omar Ramos has already had experience of first team football with Tenerife, but this is his first season in the top flight and he is revelling on the wing. His form has seen him earn a call-up to the Spain Under-21 side.
Jesus Navas (Sevilla)
The winger had his first taste of international football over the last ten days and did not look out of place having overcome an anxiety disorder. How he now copes with the extra games will be seen this weekend.
PREDICTION
The Andalucian outfit need to prove that they can maintain their pursuit of the top two. If they slip-up here the critics will not be impressed. Manolo Jimenez's side should have too much for their hosts, but it will not be easy.
Tenerife 1 - 2 Sevilla
Lucas Brown, Goal.com
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Hosted by Stephen Crawford & Adam Scime
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8:51 PM GMT
We're back underway in San Siro, folks. Remember you can get up-to-the-minute updates by following our play-by-play commentary right HERE
8:45 PM GMT
Meanwhile, deputy editor Carlo Garganese had this to say:
"There has only been one team in this game so far. Milan have been utterly dominant in every department.
"Thiago Silva has snuffed out Robin van Persie, van Bommel & Nocerino have bossed the midfield, while Ibrahimovic, Robinho and Boateng have caused problems every time they have touched the ball.
"Arsenal are lucky to only be 2-0 down, defensively they are all over the place - they are pushing up when they should be holding, going narrow when they should be cutting out Abate and Antonini on the flanks, and generally getting everything wrong tactically.
"Ibrahimovic in particular is toying with the Arsenal team, with opponents bouncing off him. He created Robinho's goal beautifully, and could have had two more assists for Boateng and Antonini. Finally Ibra has shown up! Great first half for Milan."
"There has only been one team in this game so far. Milan have been utterly dominant in every department.
"Thiago Silva has snuffed out Robin van Persie, van Bommel & Nocerino have bossed the midfield, while Ibrahimovic, Robinho and Boateng have caused problems every time they have touched the ball.
"Arsenal are lucky to only be 2-0 down, defensively they are all over the place - they are pushing up when they should be holding, going narrow when they should be cutting out Abate and Antonini on the flanks, and generally getting everything wrong tactically.
"Ibrahimovic in particular is toying with the Arsenal team, with opponents bouncing off him. He created Robinho's goal beautifully, and could have had two more assists for Boateng and Antonini. Finally Ibra has shown up! Great first half for Milan."
8:38 PM GMT
"The only disappointment for Milan at half-time is that they are not more than two up," Kris conintues.
"Ibrahimovic is running the show, and the Arsenal back four are just letting him get on with it. Arsene Wenger has to turn to drastic measures now if his side are to have any hope of remaining in this tie.
"One goal for the Gunners could give them a great chance going back to the Emirates, but on what we've seen so far it looks unlikely that they'll stop more going back Wojciech Szczesny, let alone grab one at the other end."
"Ibrahimovic is running the show, and the Arsenal back four are just letting him get on with it. Arsene Wenger has to turn to drastic measures now if his side are to have any hope of remaining in this tie.
"One goal for the Gunners could give them a great chance going back to the Emirates, but on what we've seen so far it looks unlikely that they'll stop more going back Wojciech Szczesny, let alone grab one at the other end."
8:36 PM GMT
It's half time at the Giuseppe Meazza, and Milan are well and truly running the show at this point. With the hosts 2-0 up and dictating the pace, we asked Italy editor Kris Voakes what he has made of the first 45 minutes:
"This tie could be over before we know it.
"Arsenal have played like a team given no tactical guidance at all.
"They've been square at the back - playing into Ibrahimovic's hands, slow in possession - giving the home midfield time to retreat and slide across, and clueless in the final third.
"It is Milan playing with all the energy and getting the due rewards as a result."
"This tie could be over before we know it.
"Arsenal have played like a team given no tactical guidance at all.
"They've been square at the back - playing into Ibrahimovic's hands, slow in possession - giving the home midfield time to retreat and slide across, and clueless in the final third.
"It is Milan playing with all the energy and getting the due rewards as a result."
8:27 PM GMT
GOAL in San Siro!
Released down the left, Zlatan Ibrahimovic cut inside and delivered a short, chipped cross onto the head of Robinho, who finished with his head from close range. 2-0 Milan!
Released down the left, Zlatan Ibrahimovic cut inside and delivered a short, chipped cross onto the head of Robinho, who finished with his head from close range. 2-0 Milan!
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