Why Sevilla are such dangerous opponents for Manchester United in Europa League semi-final clash

Ben Hayward16 August 2020

It is less than two-and-a-half years since Sevilla stunned Jose Mourinho's Manchester United in the last 16 of the Champions League.

However, United fans and staff would learn little by looking back at that 2-1 defeat, because tonight's Sevilla will be unrecognisable from the team that triumphed at Old Trafford.

While David De Gea, Eric Bailly, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial, Paul Pogba, Juan Mata and Nemanja Matic were all involved that night, Sevilla are likely to have only one player from their 2018 lineup in tonight's XI.

Midfielder Ever Banega should start for the Andalusian side in tonight's Europa League semi-final, but the Argentine will be surrounded by 10 different players to the ones who began at Old Trafford – and even he is about to leave.

It is what Sevilla do and it makes the club's spectacular success in the Europa League since 2006 (when it was still the Uefa Cup) even more impressive.

Sevilla won the competition in 2006, 2007, 2014, 2015 and 2016. It has changed their history and they are hungry for another triumph this summer.

And having edged out Wolves in the quarter-final, the Andalusians now stand in the way of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's United side. They should not be taken lightly.

The secret to Sevilla's success this season has been the combination of excellent coaching and outstanding recruitment.

Coach Julen Lopetegui is rebuilding his reputation after the fallout with Spain, when he was sacked on the eve of the 2018 World Cup for accepting the Real Madrid job, and then a turbulent tenure with Los Blancos.

Former Spain and Real Madrid coach Julen Lopetegui is rebuilding his reputation at Sevilla
AP

Lopetegui is an excellent coach, but took over at a difficult time at Madrid and ultimately was unable to convince a dressing room of egos and ageing players to embrace his ideas.

At Sevilla, he has been able to and it has helped that he was the choice of sporting director Monchi. Together, the two have worked in hand in hand to strengthen the team with players suited to the coach's style.

"When his team has the ball, they don't lose it for a long time and when they lose it, they win it back very quickly," Monchi said of the coach last summer.

That sums up Lopetegui's philosophy and it was evident against Wolves: pressing high up the pitch, around 70 per cent possession, attacking full-backs and quick, slick link-up play.

Whereas at Real he inherited an ageing team that had won it all and been stripped of star player Cristiano Ronaldo, Lopetegui has been able to mould – with Monchi's help – his Sevilla side.

Centre-backs Diego Carlos and Jules Kounde arrived in the summer and are now being eyed by Europe's top clubs. Left-back Sergio Reguilon, on loan from Real Madrid, was excellent for Los Blancos last season and is now reportedly interesting Chelsea, while Jesus Navas has dropped back to the defence with great effect in his second spell at the club.

In midfield, the extraordinary Banega remains the main creative outlet and with every performance, it is baffling that he has not played for one of Europe's elite clubs. This summer, he will leave for Saudi Arabia.

In Pictures | Wolves vs Sevilla - Europa League - 12-08-2020

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Joan Jordan and former Manchester City midfielder Fernando, brought in from Eibar and Galatasaray in the summer, buzz around alongside the Argentine and in attack, Sevilla possess plenty of talent and intensity too.

On the left, Argentine winger Lucas Ocampos has been one of the signings of the season after his arrival from Marseille. On the right, Suso has impressed since joining for free from AC Milan and in the centre, Youssef En-Nesyri has won the starting spot after a move from Leganes in January.

On the bench, Lopetegui also has a number of interesting options, including strikers Luuk de Jong and Munir El Haddadi, plus midfielder Franco Vazquez.

And even second-choice goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, who should start tonight as Tomas Vaclik has only just returned from injury, saved a penalty from Raul Jimenez in the quarter-final on Tuesday.

Ever Banega remains Sevilla's main creative force, but will move to Saudi Arabia soon
AFP via Getty Images

It is practically a new team, but one which gelled quickly to claim fourth place in LaLiga (level on points with Atletico Madrid in third).

In the summer, many of the players will leave once again and more will arrive at a far lower cost. That is Sevilla's model and Monchi, their former goalkeeper, is a master at identifying new players who will fit in at the Sanchez Pizjuan.

But for now, this team carries Spain's hopes of a European trophy after the Champions League eliminations for Atletico and Barcelona this week.

And while the personnel is different, the club's special affinity with this competition remains. All of that makes the Andalusians a very dangerous opponent for Manchester United tonight.