Ehe coach of Sevilla, Julen Lopetegui, a significant drawback has been found with injury to Lucas Ocampos last Saturday. The Argentine, who underwent tests this Monday morning, has a sprained ankle and could be out for about six weeks, although a couple of them could be shortened or lengthened, depending on the evolution. A significant loss in the eleven of the Basque coach, who had a fundamental piece of the team in Ocampos.
Because the winger, who was already totally used to playing on the left side, so that Suso shone from the right, He is the player who breaks lines with his starts from the center, gives Sevilla depth when they need it and, in addition, collaborates in defensive tasks when high pressure does not pay off. A nuisance for rivals and above with goals that are usually decisive, such as the one scored in the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey against Almería. Ocampos will miss the next month and a half of competition, so he will not be in the Cup semis and in the eighth of the Champions League.
What will Lopetegui do? The technician had used, on a regular basis, Idrissi as a replacement for Ocampos in the matches in which the Argentine rested. Usually less important duels, such as the last of the Champions group stage, with Sevilla classified, or the first rounds of the Cup. The international for Morocco has left in this winter market heading to the Ajax. I was looking for minutes and new opportunities. Will return in summer.
His place has been occupied by Papu Gómez, precisely one of the alternatives that Julen handles. The former Atalanta made his debut in Almeria starting from the side, although his tendency and greatest influence is playing on the inside, as the most low-hanging midfielder. Right where it started to shine Oliver Torres, another possibility. This year he has not played there, but the coach considers him a false winger. Óscar, now injured and with a similar profile, also played a match starting from the side. The most logical or usual option is to place Munir starting from the left. Lopetegui has been putting the player in the second parts. He asks for more to reach the level seen after confinement.
Now the opportunity has come. The but is that defensively he cannot hold the rhythm of Ocampos and the team can suffer, too without its starting side, Acuña, injured. At least he has returned Escudero. Above Munir does have poison. Even En-Nesyri has departed from the band this season, leaving as ‘9’ to De Jong (Bilbao). With his scoring streak it seems unlikely that he will move away from the goal except for circumstantial cause. As a last consideration, you might even move the system to three centrals and leave two lanes, since there are plenty of players inside. Julen has options. A bouquet to decide. Lucas’s absence mourns. But the competition waits for no one.
