Sevilla vs Real Betis preview - Luna issues Sevilla rallying call

Posted Sunday, November 18, 2012 by PA

Defender Antonio Luna has called for a show of intensity from Sevilla as they prepare to face arch rivals Real Betis at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on Sunday.

Sevilla are without a win in their last three games and have slipped to 10th place in the Primera Division standings after a strong start to the season that saw them unbeaten until they faced Barcelona at the end of September.

However, that defeat marked a turning point and since then Sevilla have only claimed four points from five games ahead of the much-anticipated derby clash with high-flying Betis.

Betis are currently fourth in the table after a home defeat by Granada last week and Luna wants to show home fans that Sevilla can regain their winning formula against their city neighbours.

"All teams go through streaks that are positive and negative," Luna told Marca.com.

"At first we found the tone and level of play was very high. Lately things have not been going so well and there have been phases of games where we have not put in the necessary intensity, which is what we were missing last year.

"On Sunday we have the opportunity to demonstrate to our people that the start of the season was no fluke."

Luna knows Betis pose a threat in several areas but is confident if Sevilla can raise their game for the occasion they will be able to come out on top.

"We must try to play our game," Luna said. "They have top quality people and are very, very fast, like Ruben (Castro) and Juan Carlos.

"If we play at our best level I am sure we have many options to get the three points."

Betis midfielder Benat Etxebarria, who started for Spain in their midweek friendly win over Panama, knows what awaits his side on Sunday and singled out Jesus Navas and Alvaro Negredo as two players they need to keep a special eye on.

He said of Sevilla: "They have a strong all-round team, but it's a derby and anyone can cause you damage. We need to take a little care with Navas, who is doing very well, the same as Negredo."