Sevilla vs Real Madrid - Sevilla coach expects Real Madrid to shrug off Karim Benzema absence

Posted Saturday, November 07, 2015 by PA

Sevilla coach Unai Emery does not expect Real Madrid to be hampered by the loss of Karim Benzema as the Andalusians prepare for another massive encounter.

Emery watched his side lose 3-1 to Manchester City in the Champions League this week and now faces up to the Madrid task at the Sanchez Pizjuan stadium.

Gareth Bale has been included in Madrid's travelling squad after missing the last four games through injury but coach Rafael Benitez will be without several key players for the trip south, with Marcelo, Dani Carvajal and Keylor Navas joining Benzema on the sidelines.

Benzema is understood to have a thigh injury which meant he was also not part of France's friendlies squad, while his off-field issues have also dominated headlines.

Benitez faced a host of questions about Benzema during his pre-match press conference on Saturday but preferred only to speak about footballing matters.

The Madrid coach said: "He's in the final stage of his recovery and we've decided to leave him here to get back to 100 per cent. Emotionally he's well. I'm not going to say much. There's been a statement from the club and there's not much else to say."

Despite the absence of Benzema and three members of their first-choice defence from the Madrid squad, Sevilla boss Emery is not expecting Sunday's match to be any easier.

He told Estadio Deportivo: "On Sunday we have another match with an opponent at the same level as Tuesday but we must continue working to take it forward.

"Our opponent is a favourite, along with Barcelona, to win the league. I see them well, (they are) very orderly, which gives them personality and security in many aspects of the game, which is very positive.

"They have players who know how to manage time...so I do not think their ability is severely hampered by the absence of Benzema."

Sevilla's league form has not helped their cause as they lost to Villarreal before the defeat to Manchester City and they lie 11th in the La Liga table.

The European reversal was Sevilla's third loss in four games in the competition and it left the Spaniards third in Group D.

Emery said: "The important thing is that we continue to work hard, climb up in the domestic standings and give our all in our last two group games in the Champions League."

Sevilla have won just three and lost four of their opening 10 La Liga games, leaving them 12 points adrift of table-toppers Madrid and Barca.

Sevilla, having kept just one clean sheet in their last 10 games in all competitions, take on a Real side with the most prolific attack and best defensive record in La Liga.

Real have found the back of the net 24 times and conceded just four goals, while they have yet to lose a game in any competition under Benitez.

Los Blancos also go into Sunday's match having assured themselves of a place in the last 16 of the Champions League with two games to spare.

Nacho's goal earned Real a 1-0 home victory over Paris St Germain on Tuesday. Benitez's side cruised to a third straight La Liga triumph last weekend when they won 3-1 against Las Palmas.

Benitez knows they have their work cut out to continue their winning streak on Sunday, though, when they face the two-time reigning Europa League winners.

He said: "It's a difficult ground. It's a team who have spectacular history, especially in recent words. It will not be straightforward and we know that we need to be very focused on establishing our style of play."