Osasuna 0 - 2 Sevilla FC

Jimenez shrugs of Fabiano absence

Updated: September 18, 2009, 12:56 PM UK

Sevilla coach Manolo Jimenez is refusing to dwell on the enforced absence of five-goal striker Luis Fabiano for their trip to Osasuna in the Primera Liga.

The Brazilian was in dazzling form in the Champions League clash with Unirea Urziceni in midweek when he scored one goal and made another as Los Nervionenses eased to a 2-0 win.

It means Fabiano has now scored five times in his last three games for club and country prompting Pele to tell AS: "He is a great player, the most important figure in the Brazil attack.

"When he left here I saw him as a great promise. He has always been a great player and he is now returning to his best form.''

However, Fabiano has been forced out of the match with an ankle problem as Sevilla look for a second consecutive victory following their emphatic 4-1 win over Real Zaragoza.

Jimenez though wants to look beyond the striker's absence, telling www.sevillafc.es: "Sevilla had no dependence on (Juan) Arza or (Toni) Polster or (Diego) Maradona and neither will there be on Luis Fabiano.

"Let's try not to linger and I can assure you we have 11 players and we will play with 11.

"I am proud to have a competitive squad.

"There will be room for everyone. Sometimes you're forced to rotate.''

Sevilla began the season in disappointing fashion, going down 2-0 to an impressive Valencia side at Mestalla.

But the Andalusians put that disappointment behind them with a thrilling exhibition of attacking football in their second match against Zaragoza at the Sanchez Pizjuan.

Sevilla would appear favourites for the game at Osasuna, who have yet to win this season, but they visitors have not triumphed in Pamplona for 10 years.

Defender Julien Escude believes that will change this weekend. "It is time we won in Pamplona,'' he said. "It is a difficult ground and it will be a hard match, but they haven't won yet and we will be going there to win,'' he added.

Osasuna's away form was very poor last season as the northerners were almost relegated to the Second Division.

The Pamplona-based side managed to stay up in extremis, however, and began the new season with a creditable tie at home to Villarreal.

But Jose Antonio Camacho's side then suffered once again on the road, losing 2-1 at Tenerife last weekend.

Nacho Monreal and Javad Nekounam were sent off in that match and will both miss Saturday's game through suspension. Dady and Ludovic Delporte are sidelined, while Cesar Azpilicueta has been called up by Spain for the under-20 World Cup.

Carlos Aranda looks set to return, though.