Blog: What to expect from Sevilla in Basel showdown
In the final hours before the Europa League title is decided, learn more about what Liverpool will be facing against reigning champions Sevilla with our latest guest blog by Paul Wilkes.
Sevilla are aiming for an historic Europa League treble, as they have won the tournament in the last two years by beating Benfica and Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk in the final. They also face Barcelona in the Copa del Rey decider on Sunday evening, which makes Unai Emery’s team particularly difficult to predict.
Few managers rotate as much as Emery, which has seen him gain plaudits and criticism simultaneously. The freshness of the players has enabled them to win and compete for trophies, although they would have almost certainly performed better in La Liga had the coach’s priority been different.
It’s a testament to Sevilla’s squad strength and to the recruitment overseen by director of football Monchi that the quality doesn’t change that much, even when they make numerous adjustments to the team. However, there are naturally a few players that are a level above the rest.
Emery is a friend of former Reds boss Rafael Benitez and there’s more than a minor similarity in the ideology of the two coaches. He rarely deviates away from a 4-2-3-1 formation, while he expects his wide players to track back and help his full-backs defensively.
Like Benitez, he aims for his team to be solid in the defensive third of the pitch, although paradoxically they often play their best football in more open games. The biggest indication to Emery’s first XI comes from the team fielded in the semi-final win over Shakhtar Donetsk.
Goalkeeper David Soria has played in all eight of Sevilla’s games in the Europa League, but has remarkably not featured in either the league or the Champions League. Mariano and Coke will compete for right-back, with the former expected to start after his goal in the second leg of the semi-final.
Adil Rami will probably line up alongside Daniel Carrico at centre-back. Rami would love to be playing against Christian Benteke, as he likes a physical battle, but he won’t be so keen to face the speed of either Daniel Sturridge or Divock Origi.
Grzegorz Krychowiak is an exceptional holding player who has long been linked with a move to the Premier League, with his positional ability giving him the best interception rate in Spain. He will likely partner former Stoke City midfielder Steven N’Zonzi, whose energy will be crucial in transition.
Vitolo should occupy one wing and Argentine Ever Banega take up the No.10 role, although the other winger could be taken by a number of players. Michael Krohn-Dehli and Jose Antonio Reyes are injured, so Yevhen Konoplyanka should be utilised in the position, while Coke may play just ahead of Mariano for extra defensive resilience against Alberto Moreno’s attacking runs.
Kevin Gameiro is the one guarantee on the teamsheet if fully fit, due to his fantastic scoring record. The Frenchman has 24 goals in all competitions and has netted seven times in his last seven appearances.
For more from Paul, follow @paulwilkesfooty.