Mallorca vs Sevilla preview - Caparros - Results will come

Posted Saturday, November 05, 2011 by PA

Mallorca coach Joaquin Caparros will face a familiar foe this weekend as he goes in search of his first victory since joining the club a month ago.

Caparros was in charge of Sevilla for five years between 2000 and 2005, and is credited with laying the foundations for the club's most successful era under his successor Juande Ramos.

The Mallorca boss is confident that, despite a poor recent run of results, he is also building towards something with his new club.

"Above all what we want is some reward for the magnificent work that the team is doing," he told a pre-match press conference.

"We can't obsess about not winning, that won't help anyone. The only thing the team can do is continue to work as hard as they are, with great intensity and spirit between them."

Sevilla lost for the first time in 12 Primera Division games against Granada on Monday, but Caparros does not believe that will have a great effect on tomorrow's game.

"They have a great squad, with very good players and a range of options," he said.

"Sevilla are always going to be one of those teams that, despite a specific result or a bad run, will always be fighting for a very high position in the league."

Thomas Pina is available again for the hosts having missed last week's 5-0 hammering against Barcelona through suspension.

Sevilla face problems in attack for the trip to Palma with Alvaro Negredo and Freddie Kanoute both ruled out with hamstring injuries.

Yet despite the injuries, coach Marcelino says he has no regrets over the decision not to further strengthen that area during the summer transfer window.

He told the club's website: "This is football and the two of them are injured.

"We don't regret the decision because we believe there was no guarantee that the solution was bringing in another player.

"We still have enough potential to win (in Mallorca), and all will depend on how we do in the 90 minutes.

"I don't think the absences will be the determining factor in whether we win or not."

Marcelino has drafted young Japanese striker Hiroshi Ibusuki into the squad as cover, while defender Federico Fazio also returns.