The countdown to the kick-off of La Liga’s new season was met with intense optimism among many Sevilla supporters, and perhaps surprisingly so.
Of course, the club had a summer busier than almost every other team in Spain as 12 signings were made and a further 17 players departed. In attack the likes of Kevin Gameiro, Carlos Bacca and Marko Marin arrived, giving Sevilla some genuine quality in the final third.
However, their problem over the last year has not necessarily been putting the ball into the opposing goal, but rather keeping it out of their own. Defensively they have shot themselves in the foot more times than one cares to mention and they look as though they still have work to do in that area.
Atletico Madrid were the visitors on Sunday, and although Unai Emery could probably argue his side enjoyed the better of the action at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, the visitors ran out 3-1 winners largely thanks to an unstoppable performance from chief Sevilla-tormenter Diego Costa.
Federico Fazio, one of the few centre-backs who actually remained with Sevilla over the close-season, was partly at fault for the first two goals as Costa tore the Argentine apart when it really mattered. The battle raged on throughout the match and the Brazilian came out on top precisely when he needed to.
The hosts’ chances were not helped when summer signing Nico Pareja was forced off with an arm injury just before half-time, which would later rule him out for up to two months. Another recent acquisition, Vicente Iborra, slotted into defence briefly before he too had to be replaced.
Israel Puerto, a Spain Under-20 international and Sevilla youth product, finished the match beside Fazio, but he was beaten far too easily down the outside for Cristian Rodriguez’s clincher in the final minutes. There is much to be improved upon.
Daniel Carrico impressed during the preseason following a loan move from Reading, but he is set to be out until October, while their other centre-back options – Juan Cala and Fernando Navarro – are either unconvincing or technically being played out of position.
Emir Spahic, Bernardo Espinosa and Alexis were all predictably given the proverbial boot in the summer, while Alberto Botia was banished to Elche for a year-long loan after a pretty disastrous debut season in Sevilla.
However, with the number of departures and recent injuries, Los Nervionenses are only one League match into the season and already looking a little short for numbers. Puerto does not yet appear ready for La Liga football, while Fazio continues to attract criticism.
Sporting director Ramon ‘Monchi’ Rodriguez confirmed on Tuesday that he is trying to identify reinforcements in light of the injuries, but whether he can bring in a player of a good enough standard for a European challenge is another question.
Osasuna’s Alejandro Arribas and Rayo Vallecano’s Alejandro Galvez were namedropped earlier in the summer and would represent fine additions, but neither will be particularly cheap by Sevilla’s definition.
Monchi’s work over the summer was generally outstanding, but he has more to do if he does not want Sevilla’s defence scribbling all over his blueprint.
