The Weekly Take, Issue 206: The Downward Spiral Carries On

For much of this season, it appeared that Sevilla were on course for their best La Liga campaign in many years and would be Real Madrid's closest challengers for the league title, given the struggles of perennial powerhouses Barcelona and Atlético Madrid. Sevilla have either been second or third in the league for large portions of this season and at some points, even seemed as though they were a serious threat to make a run at a first league title since the 1945-46 season.

However, Los Rojiblancos were handed a severe reality check in their most recent match against Real. The Andalusian club squandered a 2-0 lead and ended up losing 3-2. Karim Benzema continued his hot streak by scoring Real's winning goal in stoppage time and further bolstering his Ballon d'Or credentials in the process.

The loss left Sevilla in third place in the league, 15 points behind Real and with their grip on a Champions League spot next season slipping with each passing matchday. Earlier this season, Sevilla had been keeping pace with Real at the top of the league and appeared to be locks for a top-four finish. This is clearly no longer the case; they are now embroiled in a five-way battle for the last three Champions League spots with Barça, Atlético, Real Betis, and Real Sociedad.

In the last three months, Sevilla have won just three league matches and collected a mere 16 points out of a possible 36 while doing so. They also suffered a shocking elimination in the Europa League round of 16 when they lost to West Ham United 2-1 on aggregate.

The most glaring issue concerning this Sevilla team and the main reason behind their slump is their lack of output on the offensive end. Sevilla's leading league goalscorer thus far is Rafa Mir, who has just nine goals to his name this season. It isn't as though the rest of the team are necessarily picking up the slack, either - Sevilla's team total of 46 league goals ranks them well behind every other club in the top six except Real Sociedad. It should go without saying that such figures will clearly not cut it at this level.

In my most recent post about Sevilla, I mentioned that it would have been in their best interest to pursue a centre-forward in the mid-season transfer window. Sevilla did attempt to address this issue by bringing in Anthony Martial on a loan deal from Manchester United. However, in a turn of events that just about everyone should have seen coming, Martial has made absolutely no positive impact at all since arriving at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán. His career numbers should have been a clear red flag - only once in his career has he averaged more than half a goal per match during the course of a season. Unsurprisingly, many Sevilla fans have already soured on the Frenchman and understandably cannot wait for his loan deal to end. This was an ill-advised acquisition and a waste of an open spot which could've been filled by a far more capable centre-forward.

Ever since January, Sevilla have also struggled to close matches out. Their 12-match slump includes seven draws of which at least three or four could have been wins. Perhaps it was their relative lack of experience in such a position in the league that made the difference, but it was obvious in many of those matches that Sevilla seemed much tighter and tenser, especially as the final whistle approached. This is something they will undoubtedly have to work on for the rest of this season as well as throughout the off-season. Signing one or two players with significant league title race experience might prove to help.

That said, it's not all bad news for Sevilla. Their defense is still as sturdy as ever; the 25 goals it has conceded ranks as the fewest in La Liga and has more or less carried them all season long. Marcos Acuña and Jules Koundé have been especially impressive during this current campaign.

Nevertheless, throughout the second half of this season, Sevilla's frailties have been on full display. Regardless of whether they make it to next season's Champions League, there are obvious problems to be addressed in the off-season. A season which once seemed so promising might just end up being Sevilla's most disappointing in recent memory.

The Weekly Take, Issue 189: Stepping Into Uncharted Territory

Sevilla consolidated their position as Real Madrid's closest challengers for this season's La Liga title by beating the slumping Atlético Madrid 2-1. Ivan Rakitić's seventh-minute opener for Sevilla was cancelled out by an equalizer scored by Felipe. However, Lucas Ocampos would ensure that Los Rojiblancos would leave with all three points.

Sevilla's victory kept them in second place in La Liga, five points behind leaders Real. If Sevilla maintain their current pace, this might turn out to be the Andalusian club's finest league season in well over half a century.

The last time Sevilla won La Liga was in the 1945-46 season, while the last time they even finished in the top two was in 1956-57. Yet, that could all change this season. No team has gained more from the sudden declines of perennial title contenders Atlético and Barcelona than have Sevilla.

The bulk of Sevilla's success this season has come on the strength of their impressive defense. With just 12 goals conceded in 17 league matches, they are currently tied for second in this statistic among all the clubs of Europe's four major leagues. Their starting back four of Gonzalo Montiel, Marcos Acuña, Diego Carlos, and Jules Koundé as well as goalkeeper Bono have emerged as one of the most stifling backlines in world football - and a highly underrated one at that.

Now in his third season in the dugout at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, head coach Julen Lopetegui has also turned his reputation almost completely around. Prior to taking the job at Sevilla in 2019, Lopetegui was best known for his ill-fated stints in charge of the Spanish national team and subsequently Real. His selection for the position at Sevilla was greeted with skepticism from many. However, he has thoroughly silenced the doubters since then by leading Sevilla to back-to-back Champions League berths and a Europa League title. He has also been a key reason why Sevilla have been able to keep pace in what could so easily have turned out to be a one-sided title race.

Sevilla are already in the midst of their best era since the 1940s and 1950s. Over the past eight seasons, they have qualified for the Champions League five times, reaching the quarterfinals in the 2017-18 season. They have also won four Europa League titles and reached the final of the Copa del Rey twice. However, all of these would pale in comparison to the significance that a first league title in 75 years would bring.

On paper, this would seem to be an extremely tough ask, given the star power and financial might that Real possess. However, it isn't impossible - a five-point gap can easily be overcome, especially with so many matches still to be played. All it would take for Sevilla to claim an edge in the title race is one short slump on Real's part - something that could happen to any team at any time.

The upcoming January transfer window will be crucial towards Sevilla's title push. Sevilla currently have neither a true playmaker nor a major goalscoring threat. These points are evidenced by the following facts: Rafa Mir is their leading goalscorer in the league with just five goals, while Acuña leads the club in league assists with three. Bear in mind that almost half the season has already been played; on a per-match basis, these figures do not hold up well at all. Sevilla thus ought to prioritize offensive output during the next transfer window - it could be their key towards mounting a genuine league title push and perhaps even toppling Real.

Nevertheless, their Champions League performance notwithstanding, Sevilla's season thus far has exceeded even what their most ardent fans would have dreamed possible. This team seems to have just the right blend - that "X-factor" that no Sevilla team has ever quite had - until now.

Of course, there's always the possibility that Sevilla's early-season form will end up fizzling out, allowing Real to win the league by a wide margin. However, based on what Sevilla have shown us thus far, their form seems to be sustainable. All it will take now is one final push. Whether that push will come, however, is yet to be seen.

Is this the year at last? Maybe, maybe not - but they're closer than almost all their fans can remember them being.

The Weekly Take, Issue 126: This Season's Potential Dark Horse Contender

Before I begin, let's rewind the clock to the final of last season's Europa League which saw Sevilla face off against Inter Milan. On paper, the only question before the match was not which team would emerge victorious, but by how many goals Inter would win. After all, this was an Inter team which many had considered to be too good for Europe's secondary club tournament; it was loaded with talent and featured the likes of Alexis Sánchez, Lautaro Martínez, Christian Eriksen, Milan Škriniar, Stefan de Vrij, Christian Eriksen, and player of the tournament Romelu Lukaku.

However, Sevilla defied the odds and emerged victorious by a 3-2 scoreline. Interestingly enough, a Lukaku own goal proved to be the difference between the two teams. The victory should have put more teams on notice than it did; by taking down a powerhouse like the Nerazzurri in a cup final, Sevilla proved that they could probably do some serious damage in the 2020-21 season in the Champions League as well as domestically.

This past La Liga matchday, Sevilla showed that they were able to continue from where they left off last season by holding Barcelona to a 1-1 draw. Sevilla striker Luuk de Jong's opener was cancelled out by Philippe Coutinho's goal; nevertheless, Sevilla showed plenty of heart and grit throughout, stifling Barça's attacking threats on multiple occasions and making life difficult for their Catalan opponents from whistle to whistle.

Sevilla have clearly improved in several ways since their Europa League triumph in August. During the past off-season, Sevilla made some shrewd signings which are likely to bear fruit over the coming season. The Andalusian club signed Óscar Rodríguez from Real Madrid for €13.5 million. Rodríguez had shown some flashes of potential after two solid years on loan at Leganes; however, he and everyone else knew that upon his return to the Bernabéu, he would be unlikely to get much playing time. Sevilla seized their opportunity and made the signing; while not yet a regular starter, do not be surprised if he soon becomes one.

Sevilla also brought back Ivan Rakitić for his second stint at the club after six years at Barça. The Croatian had previously spent three-and-a-half years from 2011 to 2014 at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán. The signing of Rakitić might very well prove to become one of the best signings made by any club this season. It cost Sevilla just €1.5 million to secure his services. Rakitić is already playing as though he never left. He has slotted into the team seamlessly and has clearly been able to elevate this team as the primary creative force in midfield.

Head coach Julen Lopetegui also deserves a lot of credit for the job he has done since taking the reins at Sevilla. After difficult stints in charge of the Spanish national team and subsequently Real Madrid, Lopetegui has completely restored his reputation as a coach and then some. He has shown more tactical nous than most initially assumed he has while also demonstrating the ability to adapt to changing situations mid-match - an area in which far too many coaches of top clubs are lacking. When Lopetegui eventually leaves Sevilla, expect him to be in demand by many of Europe's leading clubs.

However, as shown by both their Europa League victory last season as well as their recent match against Barça, perhaps the greatest attribute of this Sevilla team is their resolve, determination, and fearlessness no matter the odds. It almost seems as though Sevilla thrive on being the underdogs; time and again they have proven that they can never be counted out despite seemingly being overmatched. This attitude has translated to results on the field and with Real, Barça, and Atlético Madrid not being at their very best, there might never be a better opportunity for Sevilla to gatecrash the party and perhaps even clinch their first La Liga title since 1946.

Sevilla were also handed a favourable Champions League draw; they will face Chelsea, Krasnodar, and Rennes. Sevilla should sail into the round of 16 with absolutely no problems at all. From that point forth, it may seem difficult for them to make a deep run, but underestimate Sevilla at your peril - we could be witnessing the beginning of a season which could take many observers by surprise.

The Weekly Take, Issue 110: What a Difference a Year Makes

After a lengthy hiatus, La Liga has become the latest major European football league to resume action. The first match after the break was the Seville derby between Sevilla and Real Betis. To the surprise of absolutely no one, Sevilla barely broke a sweat in their 2-0 victory against their crosstown rivals. Goals scored by Lucas Ocampos and Fernando set up the win for a club which has had a quietly impressive season.

Those of you who have followed my blog for long enough might recall that around a year ago, I wrote that the Andalusian club was one which was in disarray after a turbulent 2018-19 season. However, almost the exact opposite has been the case this season.

As of this post, Sevilla currently lie third in the league, only trailing Barcelona and Real Madrid. A third-place league finish would represent their best league position since the 2008-09 season.

One man who deserves much credit for Sevilla's success this season is undoubtedly head coach Julen Lopetegui. It was inevitable that Lopetegui's predecessor Joaquín Caparrós would be replaced; it was always a matter of finding the most suitable replacement. The selection of Lopetegui has proven to have been a masterstroke. Despite his pedestrian results while in charge of Real Madrid, Sevilla decided to roll the dice on the man from the Basque Country. This has been a risk which has clearly paid dividends. Under Lopetegui, the team has been able to achieve a level of cohesion which had been absent at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán for quite some time.

Sevilla made major changes to their roster during the previous off-season. Many expected them to struggle after losing their two best players from last season: Wissam Ben Yedder and Pablo Sarabia. Both left for Ligue 1 clubs: Ben Yedder joined Monaco, while Sarabia signed with Paris Saint-Germain. They also offloaded several other key contributors from last season such as Simon Kjær, Quincy Promes, and André Silva. Sevilla received a significant amount of money from these player departures. To their credit, they made intelligent use of the money received. Signings such as Ocampos, Luuk de Jong, Fernando, Diego Carlos, and Sergio Reguilón have played important roles throughout Sevilla's campaign. It is clear that Sevilla have outdone the vast majority of clubs across Europe with regard to the transfer acquisitions which have been made.

Following the departures of Ben Yedder and Sarabia, many wondered just who would step up and emerge as the best player on this overhauled Sevilla team. That question has now been answered through Ocampos. Ocampos' improvement upon his arrival in southern Spain from Monaco has come as a pleasant surprise for Sevilla fans. Prior to this season, the Argentine's career had been largely unmemorable. Over five prior seasons in Ligue 1 as well as one in Serie A, Ocampos had never made much of an impression on most. However, Ocampos is currently in the midst of a breakout season. From seemingly out of nowhere, the forward from Buenos Aires has already scored a career-best 11 league goals this season. Goalscoring aside, he has also fit in seamlessly with his new team and has impressed many observers in Spain and beyond. His play this season also earned him his first cap for Argentina; he went on to score his first goal for his country in that same match; an international friendly against Germany.

With 10 league matches remaining, Sevilla are in pole position to claim third place in the league and thus clinch a Champions League berth. While it is true that teams such as Valencia and Atlético Madrid have not lived up to expectations for various reasons, that doesn't discredit anything which Sevilla have done this season. This is an outcome which not many could have expected at the beginning of the season.

Sometimes, all a team needs are a few minor tweaks. Other times, a full-scale overhaul is what is required. Sevilla realized that they were in the latter group and acted accordingly. Today, they are deservedly reaping the rewards of their off-season decisions.

While nothing is quite certain just yet, Sevilla can already take many positives from this season. A top-four finish this season would be a fitting conclusion.

The Weekly Take, Issue 63: La Liga’s Second-Most Underperforming Team

With La Liga having just concluded its latest season, it can easily be seen that the biggest underachievers this season have been Real Madrid.

A dysfunctional Los Merengues side accumulated just 68 points in the league, finished 18 points behind league champions and arch-rivals Barcelona, were knocked out of the Copa del Rey semifinals, and most shockingly of all, lost to Ajax in the Champions League’s round of 16. Two coaching changes did nothing to save their season.

Such has been Real’s underperformance this season that the underachievement of another team a little further down the league table has gone unnoticed by many. Given the personnel on their squad, this team ought to have done far better.

This team is Sevilla.

Despite wrapping up their La Liga campaign with a 2-0 win over Athletic Bilbao, Sevilla failed to qualify for next season’s Champions League. They lost out to Valencia by two points.

Certainly, more would have been expected of Los Rojiblancos this season. Compared to Valencia and Getafe, who both finished ahead of Sevilla in the league, they clearly have much more talent. Despite not having a superstar player, Sevilla have players such as Tomáš Vaclík, Wissam Ben Yedder, Éver Banega, Pablo Sarabia, and Simon Kjær on their roster. All of these players would be the best at the club if they played for either Valencia or Getafe. Yet, despite this squad depth, they only finished sixth in the league.

It didn’t go well for Sevilla in Europe either. They were expected to have no problems in dispatching underdogs Slavia Prague in their Europa League round of 16 tie. However, it was not to be, as the Czech club recorded an upset victory, eliminating Sevilla and costing head coach Pablo Machín his position at the club.

This leads to the all-important question: how did it go so wrong for Sevilla this season?

The bulk of the blame has to be placed on Machín’s shoulders. Throughout the season, he evidently failed to get the most out of his squad. Evidence of this can be seen in a dismal eight-game league run from January 13 to March 2, during which the Andalusian club lost six games and picked up just four points. During this slump, Sevilla lost to teams such as Celta Vigo, Huesca, and Villarreal. They also drew against Eibar.

At some point during the slump, one would think that Machín would have realized that something was not working and modify his tactics accordingly. However, he failed to do so, and this tactical inflexibility eventually led to his own and the club’s downfall.

Another key factor that contributed to Sevilla’s poor season was their failure to adequately replace key personnel. During the previous off-season, Sevilla lost French duo Clément Lenglet and Steven Nzonzi to Barcelona and Roma respectively. They then proceeded to sign Sergi Gómez and Roque Mesa as replacements. These two are nowhere near the levels of Lenglet and Nzonzi. Making this even worse is the fact that Sevilla could’ve easily spent more money on better players. The sales of the two Frenchmen made the club a total of €61.9 million. In total, they made almost €90 million from player sales this season. Despite this fact, their most expensive signing was Quincy Promes, who was brought in for €20 million from Spartak Moscow. This lack of investment ultimately translated into below-par results on the pitch.

Finally, we also have to take a look at some of the players who were supposed to be among Sevilla’s key contributors this season. Players such as Promes, André Silva, Kjær, and Franco Vázquez did not play at the standards expected of them this season.

This overall underperformance could go on to hurt Sevilla even more. Do not be surprised if the likes of Ben Yedder or Sarabia, who tied for first in league assists this season, go on to depart the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán for a bigger team in the coming off-season.

It is not impossible for Sevilla to bounce back from this difficult season. They need to make the right signings and perhaps hire a better head coach to replace incumbent Joaquín Caparrós. However, as things are, the situation at Sevilla looks rather grim.