La Liga New Year's First Round: Barcelona Miss Ter Stegen, Sevilla's New Coach Hopes to Reverse Home Slump

The 19th round of La Liga continues in the early hours of January 5th, Beijing time, with Barcelona's first-choice goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen still sidelined due to a back injury. His young replacement, Iñaki Peña, has fans on edge. Meanwhile, Sevilla's new coach, Flores, will make his home debut this round. After giving fans a good impression previously, a victory at home to end a seven-game winless streak could significantly boost his standing.

Las Palmas vs. Barcelona - Will the Defense Continue to Trouble the Defending Champions?

Newly promoted Las Palmas fought for five seasons in the Segunda División after being relegated in the 2017-2018 season before finally making their return to La Liga. They are making the most of their opportunity this season, having accumulated 25 points in 18 matches, 12 points clear of the relegation zone. Optimistic fans might even think they have already secured their place in the top flight for another season. Defense has been the cornerstone of Las Palmas' success, with just 15 goals conceded, second only to league leaders Real Madrid. However, they have only scored 15 goals, the second fewest in the league, making them the only team with a goal difference of zero.

Defending champions Barcelona have already conceded more goals this season than they did in the entirety of the last campaign, and their offensive output from players like Robert Lewandowski hasn't matched last season's form. As a result, they currently trail Real Madrid by seven points at the top of the table. This competitive dynamic, with Real Madrid and Barcelona alternating at the top and dark horses like Girona making waves, is undoubtedly beneficial for the league's visibility.

In their last match of 2023 against bottom side Almería, Barcelona nearly stumbled, twice taking the lead only to be pegged back each time. It wasn't until the 83rd minute that Lewandowski assisted Sergi Roberto for the decisive goal. With Ter Stegen out, Barcelona's defense has looked shaky. Peña and center-back Ronald Araújo both made significant errors in that game. As Ter Stegen remains sidelined for this match, Barcelona's defense is a major concern for their fans.

Las Palmas’ defense, composed mostly of players aged 24 or 25, is relatively young for defenders. Whether they can maintain their defensive intensity into the new year remains a question. Even in their relegation season of 2017-18, Las Palmas managed to hold Barcelona to a draw at home. With their tactical discipline potentially offsetting individual skill gaps, the game could end in a 1-1 draw.

Sevilla vs. Athletic Bilbao - Flores' Home Debut

Sevilla have already changed managers twice this season, yet they continue to struggle in both the Champions League and La Liga. They are one of only three teams in the Champions League group stage that failed to win a single match, thus missing out on the knockout stages of the Europa League as well. Their league form has been even worse than last season's, averaging less than a point per game, likely ruling them out of European competition next season.

New head coach Flores, appointed in December, has only overseen two away matches in La Liga, securing three points. This allowed Sevilla to celebrate Christmas and the New Year outside the relegation zone, earning Flores initial trust from the fans. This round marks his first home game in charge, and Sevilla’s desire for victory should be strong, though they are up against a highly in-form Athletic Bilbao and are winless in their last seven home games.

Athletic Bilbao, under former Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde, have gone unbeaten in their last ten matches across all competitions. They are currently just three points behind fourth-placed Barcelona and, with only domestic competitions to focus on in the second half of the season, could return to the Champions League for the first time since the 2014-2015 season.

Historically, Sevilla have a strong home record against Athletic Bilbao. After the winter break, both teams should have regained their fighting spirit, and this match could see Sevilla narrowly winning 2-1.

Barcelona's Defensive Woes

Barcelona's defense has been a significant concern this season, exacerbated by the absence of Ter Stegen. The German goalkeeper's back injury has forced Iñaki Peña into the spotlight, and while the young keeper has shown promise, his inexperience has been evident in critical moments. In their last match against Almería, defensive errors almost cost Barcelona crucial points. Ronald Araújo, usually reliable, also showed signs of strain, further highlighting the team's vulnerabilities without their star keeper.

Barcelona's attacking prowess has also been under scrutiny. Despite having a world-class striker in Robert Lewandowski, the team's offensive output has not been as prolific as last season. Lewandowski’s form has been inconsistent, and the team has struggled to convert their dominance in possession into goals. This inefficiency upfront, combined with defensive frailties, has seen them fall behind Real Madrid in the title race.

The upcoming match against Las Palmas presents another challenge. The newly promoted side has been defensively solid, and their tactical discipline could frustrate Barcelona. With Peña expected to start again, all eyes will be on the young goalkeeper to see if he can step up and provide the stability needed at the back. The defensive partnership of Araújo and Andreas Christensen will also be crucial in ensuring that Barcelona do not concede cheap goals.

Sevilla's Managerial Carousel

Sevilla's season has been tumultuous, with the club going through two managerial changes already. The appointment of Flores in December was seen as a move to stabilize the team, and his impact was immediately felt as Sevilla managed to secure three points from his first two away matches. This allowed them to breathe a sigh of relief, moving out of the relegation zone during the festive period.

However, Flores' real test begins now with his home debut. Sevilla's fans have endured a torrid run of seven winless games at home, and there is a palpable desire to see this streak end. Flores' approach will be under scrutiny, and his tactical decisions will be critical in determining whether Sevilla can start 2024 on a positive note.

Athletic Bilbao, Sevilla's opponents, are in excellent form. The Basque side has been unbeaten in ten consecutive matches, and their robust defensive setup under Valverde has made them a tough team to break down. Sevilla's attacking players, including Youssef En-Nesyri and Lucas Ocampos, will need to be at their best to penetrate Bilbao's defense.

Athletic Bilbao's Resurgence

Athletic Bilbao have been one of the standout teams this season. Under the guidance of Ernesto Valverde, they have become a resilient unit, capable of grinding out results against tough opponents. Their current unbeaten run is a testament to Valverde's tactical acumen and the team's disciplined approach.

Bilbao's success has been built on a solid defensive foundation. The likes of Iñigo Martínez and Yeray Álvarez have formed a formidable partnership at the back, providing a platform for the team to build on. In midfield, the energy and creativity of players like Iker Muniain and Oihan Sancet have been crucial in driving the team forward.

As they prepare to face Sevilla, Bilbao will be confident of extending their unbeaten run. Their strong defensive record and ability to score crucial goals in tight games make them a formidable opponent. A win against Sevilla would not only boost their chances of securing a top-four finish but also serve as a statement of their intent to compete at the highest level.

The Tactical Battle

The match between Sevilla and Athletic Bilbao is poised to be a tactical battle. Flores' primary objective will be to shore up Sevilla's defense and find a way to break down Bilbao's resilient backline. The onus will be on Sevilla's creative players to unlock Bilbao's defense and provide the attacking impetus needed to secure a win.

On the other hand, Valverde will be looking to maintain Bilbao's defensive solidity while exploiting any weaknesses in Sevilla's defense. The pace and movement of Bilbao's forwards will be key in stretching Sevilla's backline and creating goal-scoring opportunities.

Conclusion

The 19th round of La Liga promises to be an exciting one, with key matches that could have significant implications for the title race and the battle for European places. Barcelona will be hoping to secure a win against Las Palmas despite their defensive concerns, while Sevilla will be looking to kickstart their new year with a win under Flores' leadership. Athletic Bilbao's visit to Sevilla is set to be a tightly contested affair, with both teams aiming to start 2024 on a high note.