Last season, Sevilla sacrificed their bid for a top four place in favour of Europa League glory, and with this season’s battle for fourth looking increasingly difficult, they may do the same this time around.
Unai Emery’s side have been dangerously of the boil in recent weeks. There are a few worrying stats for Sevilla fans. They have lost four of thei last six in the Keague, the last of which saw them narrowly beaten in a thrilling match against Real Sociedad. At 30 goals, Sevilla have shipped the most of any top seven side, double the total of Barcelona. The loss of Alberto Moreno and Federico Fazio has done little to help on that front.
At the other end of the pitch, top marksman Carlos Bacca once again leads the way in terms of goals with 14 to his name in the League. However their next highest scorer is defensive midfielder Stephane Mbia with four goals. A respectable total for him, but the contribution of others must be called into question
They sit fifth on 45 points ahead of Week 25, with Villarreal snapping away at their heels, only a point behind and five points away from fourth-place Valencia. These three teams must all do battle for one spot, with the top three places seemingly locked down by Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.
Those five points could easily turn into eight if they aren’t careful, with their next match against Atletico Madrid – the corresponding fixture earlier this season resulted in a resounding 4-0 win for the champions. In fact, Sevilla haven’t beaten Atletico since 2010.
But if the gap does indeed prove unbridgeable, there is another way for Los Rojiblancos to get what they desire, and something they achieved last year – winning the Europa League.
This year the decision to prioritise one over the other has become increasingly difficult. Both give the desired result of Champions League football, but there’s little guarantee of either. Do they pick one and stick to it, or try both, knowing they could fail at both? The lure of silverware may prove too strong in the mind of Emery. It certainly did last year.
At a crucial juncture in the season, he named a weakened side against top four rivals Athletic Bilbao in aid of their Europa League push, and suffered the consequences, losing 3-1. One win in their last four matches saw them finish seven points off the Basque side.
This year, they’ve been drawn against Villarreal, a fixture which despite being a European tie can have a profound effect on the top four race. One will go on, while the other will have fewer games and able to concentrate on La Liga. Valencia also benefit from a distraction-free run.
The effect of a successful Europa League campaign on domestic League form cannot be understated. Sevilla played an extra 19 matches on route to Turin, and will have to play 15 if they are to repeat that success.
Much like last season, Sevilla may find fourth place beyond their grasp but that might not matter, if they can repeat the exploits of last season.
