Sevilla’s horrific fall from the title fight to relegation. What’s behind the Andalusians’ relegation?

Exactly one year ago, Sevilla were second in La Liga and the only team competing with Real Madrid for the title. However, the Andalusian club is currently second to last in the table. What is the reason for the terrible drop?

Last January, Sevilla staked everything on fighting for the title. It was only a few points behind second-placed Real Madrid, and in the winter Julen Lopetegui asked for the arrival of Jesus Corona and Anthony Martial, both of whom arrived at the Ramón Sanchéz Pizjuán.

But Sevilla gradually began to fade and eventually finished in fourth place. This wasn’t a big problem though, it only came from the summer onwards. No one at that moment expected what would come in the following months.

After 17 games this season, Sevilla have 22 points less than they had at this time last year. It has traded battles with Real Madrid for long-distance clashes with Elche, Cadiz or Espanyol. With 15 points they are penultimate in the table, only Elche have fewer points. But where is the root of the problem?

The financial ceiling

As you may have found out recently thanks to Barcelona’s mismanagement, La Liga has a salary cap unlike other leagues in the world. And Sevilla are not in the best financial position at the moment. The management has handed out generous contracts to several players in recent years, which they are unable to maintain without regular big income from the Champions League or Europa League.

Thus, in the summer, sporting director Monchi sold two absolutely key and essential pillars of the team. The stopper duo, on which the whole team stood, is gone without replacement. Jules Kounde left for Barcelona, Diego Carlos headed to Aston Villa. Sevilla, however, have not brought in an adequate replacement for them at all.

Monchi practically can’t even bring in anyone of quality. He is tied to the financial ceiling and has nowhere to go.

The breakdown of the defence

Julen Lopetegui, a coach who places a lot of emphasis on the defensive side of the ball, finds himself in a precarious situation. He had to contend with the foursome of Marcao, Tanguy Nianzou, Karim Rekik and Kike Salas. However, neither player is even half the quality of Kounde or Carlos. Thus, veterans Fernando or Nemanja Gudelj are occasionally used at stopper, but even that is not enough.

As a result, Sevilla have the third worst defensive record in the league. The pride it has prided itself on in recent seasons is suddenly a weakness. The whole defensive system has broken down and this will affect the other players as well.

It’s been a very bad start to the season and it’s been a roller coaster ride. The players got into a slump that they haven’t found their way out of yet. And the departure of coach Julen Lopetegui didn’t help.

The situation on the bench

Another thing that doesn’t sum up the situation at the club at all. Lopetegui was very popular among the fans, having won the Europa League with the club, arranged regular Top 4 finishes and even at one point was chasing Real Madrid for the title. The season before, he even finished just 2 points behind Barcelona.

But the crisis at the start of the 2022/23 season did not escape him. However, sporting director Monchi wanted to keep Basque at all costs and was convinced of his contribution to the club. However, the management bypassed him, recalled Lopetegui and put Argentine Jorge Sampaoli in his place.

When Lopetegui was leading his last game at Ramón Sanchéz Pizjuán and the fans knew he was going to quit, the whole stadium gave him a standing ovation. At the same time, the fans chanted for Lopetegui to stay and, in turn, for the entire management to leave along with Monchi.

But Sampaoli didn’t improve the results either. The management promised him seven reinforcements and so far only one has arrived. In ten La Liga games, the Argentine coach has won only twice.

Poor performances

Of course, no crisis is ever caused only by actions in the offices. Offensively, Sevilla still have a very strong squad, but they are nowhere near the performances of past seasons.

Individual mistakes, lack of creating chances and when they do, throwing them away, little fight and unwillingness to do something about the situation, that’s how you can describe Sevilla’s performance.

Monchi’s summer signings have been an absolute failure. Adnan Januzaj played only two games, while at Real Sociedad he had a permanent place in the line-up. Isco took a long time to get into playing shape, but left the club prematurely after an argument with Sampaoli.

Another signing was Alex Telles from Manchester United, who won a place in the starting line-up at the expense of Marcos Acuña, but his performances are also below expectations.

Source:: La Liga, Sevilla