Signs of life at Sevilla
Getafe, Cádiz, Elche and Real Mallorca might not be reeled off as the most difficult run of fixtures in La Liga this season, but Sevilla have won all four of their home games since they came back from the break. And given the biblical collapse that was occurring beforehand, those results are enough to make the Cruzcampo a little sweeter in Seville.
There were rumours in January that Jorge Sampaoli might become the second Sevilla manager to lose his job this season. While the decision to move on Julen Lopetegui was so far gone the sour smell was beginning to turn stomachs, sacking Sampaoli would have threatened to continue the ‘run-run’ at the club, perhaps bringing a reaction, definitely bringing more instability.
Against Real Mallorca on Saturday night, Sevilla came out of the blocks fast and dominated the game. The second half was a little less impressive, but with a 2-0 lead seating the Sánchez Pizjuán comfortably, it didn’t need to be.
There was a life-affirming lack of drama to the whole evening. Los Nervionenses played well, opened holes in their opposition and cut off counters before they threatened to be threatening. Sampaoli’s side might not be as swashbuckling as his first edition, but they are beginning to take on traits that are associated with the Argentine. They won the possession battle 65%-35%, nearly doubled the Islanders in passes, and didn’t concede a single shot on goal.
Lacking the statistic itself, it felt like Sevilla played more one-touch passes than they have all season. That possession was not stale, and the evidence was in the goals. The first, featuring one of the most glorious passes of the season from Pape Gueye, dropped on 50-cent piece for Youssef En-Nesyri in behind the defence. Lots of criticism is levelled at the Moroccan for not quite being the striker they want, but more often than not, they do not play to his strengths as they did here.
Touch-touch-touch and into space, it was En-Nesyri who started the move for the second 30 yards from his own goal, as Jesús Navas marauded down the right and eventually found Bryan Gil at the back post. A beautiful move, a birthday goal for Bryan. The combination was with Óliver Torres, the lightweight midfielder who weighs more heavily with each passing game.
Even Monchi, so often seeking the warm glow of the spotlight, has seen the glare become uncomfortably hot; he is the one chiefly responsible for the debacle earlier in the campaign. There are hints that he too is operating competently again. Gil looks like he could be useful to any side in La Liga, and all the more necessary for this Sevilla outfit. Direct, aggressive and imaginative, he lends a different dimension to their attack. Loic Bade cruised through this game against a Vedat Muriqi that might not score all the time, but generally causes bother to everyone. Gueye, key in the first goal, looks as if he might allow those further forward to spread out, rather than constantly coming short, with his vision and touch.
Life will get harder with the return of the Europa League, and trickier ties against Rayo Vallecano, Osasuna and Atlético Madrid to come. Finally Sevilla are showing signs of life though. Football is generally a stressful sport for fans, and Sevilla have been putting their loved ones through the ringer. The last few weekends at Nervión have been a reminder of why they put so much time and emotion into the relationship.