Sampaoli’s last chance to impress Barca
Print Edition
JORGE Sampaoli takes his stuttering Sevilla to Camp Nou tomorrow in his last chance to prove to Barcelona he has the quality to coach them next season.
The Catalans are looking to keep the pressure on Real Madrid at the top of La Liga ahead of Los Blancos’ game at Leganes afterwards, but the clash with Sevilla isn’t as tough as it first appeared.
For much of the season Sampaoli’s side was in the title race but its season collapsed in March, with Leicester City eliminating it from the Champions League and its Liga form suffering too.
Since beating Athletic Bilbao 1-0 on March 2, Sevilla has drawn three games against Alaves, Leganes and Sporting Gijon, as well as falling at Atletico Madrid.
It is now fourth in the table and 10 points behind leader Real Madrid, which has played a game more.
Sampaoli’s chances of replacing Luis Enrique, who will leave when his Barcelona contract expires in June, have dwindled, with Athletic Bilbao’s Ernesto Valverde and current assistant coach Juan Carlos Unzue now the favorites.
Only a high quality display could help his case, but critics say that Sampaoli’s high-pressing style has taken a toll and his squad is now drained, though the coach disagreed.
“I do not see a lack of freshness, but we could not hit the target once we were in the opposition’s half,” Sampaoli said after the 0-0 draw with Sporting.
“We must improve in regard to converting our chances. Do we have less energy now than earlier in the season? I do not agree with that analysis.”
With Sevilla in poor form, Barcelona will expect to earn the three points, particularly with key players rested.
Lionel Messi was suspended for the 4-1 win at Granada on Sunday and Gerard Pique was rested after playing twice for Spain. Andres Iniesta was only a substitute and Samuel Umtiti did not feature. But all four players are expected to start against Sevilla.
Elsewhere, Real Madrid beat Alaves 3-0. Karim Benzema continued his strong scoring form with a fourth goal in as many matches to keep Madrid atop the table.
Madrid dictated the first half and Benzema’s opener in the 31st came from a one-two with Dani Carvajal, who was a substitute after Raphael Varane picked up an injury. “(Benzema) always finds the way to get the team going by either scoring or setting up goals,” coach Zinedine Zidane said.
But in its first match since a long international break, Madrid faded in the second half and Alaves threatened to snatch a draw. The win wasn’t secure until the 85th when Francisco “Isco” Alarcon fired in the second goal. Defender Nacho Fernandez then headed in a rebound after Gareth Bale’s free-kick came off the bar.
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