Alright so today I was gonna break down that Sevilla lineup against Villarreal, figure out who really mattered on the pitch. You know how it is, gotta scratch that football itch.
Started simple enough. Took out my battered phone, thumbing through the usual sports apps, right? Wanted the official starting XI straight from the horse’s mouth. Took forever for it to finally pop up. Just sat there refreshing, my cereal getting soggy – total pain.
The Hunt for Info
Finally saw the graphic. Dmitrovic in goal. Okay, expected that. Defense looked kinda patchwork though. Marcao and Nianzou together in the middle… huh. Wasn’t sold on that. Badé missing sucked. Felt a bit worried instantly.
Scanned the midfield next:
- They had Gudelj sitting deep,
- with Rakitić pulling strings beside him,
- and Joan Jordán getting the start too.
Papá Rakitić is always key, right? His passes, man. Gotta watch those.
The Big Questions
Up front got interesting. Isco starting again? Good news, needed his creativity. But the real head-scratcher? They pushed Suso wide right and stuck Lamela up top, the weird false nine kind of role. No Ocampos starting? Felt bold. Real gamble trusting Lamela to score goals. Wasn’t sure about that call at all.
Key guys to keep an eye on? Rakitić, obviously. Runs the whole show. Isco needs to unlock their defense. And that central defense pairing? Marcao and Nianzou HAVE to hold it down. Looked like the weak link on paper. Suso cutting inside from the right? Could be dangerous.
How It Played Out
Turned on the stream. Honestly, the nerves were real looking at that lineup.
- Midfield? Rakitić was alright, pulled off some magic passes.
- Lamela false nine? Did nothing much really. Felt flat.
- That defense? Oh man. Big hole right before halftime. Marcao wandered off, Nianzou just standing there – Villarreal waltzed through. Goal. Knew it felt shaky.
Second half Sampaoli finally yanked Lamela and Marcao. Too late though. Felt annoyed watching it. That initial lineup? Had some bright spots with Isco and Suso trying stuff, but those two weak choices early on? Cost them points. Plain and simple.