Tactical Analysis: José Luis Mendilibar's Sevilla

It has been a rollercoaster campaign for Sevilla. After a sensational three-year spell that would see them finish top four on three straight occasions as well as win the Europa League, Sevilla sacked Julen Lopetegui on October 5 after picking up just five points from seven matches. The return of Jorge Sampaoli as manager failed to quell the storm, with the Argentine getting sacked after a dismal run of form that would see them kick off March with a 6-1 loss to Atlético Madrid, a 2-1 win against Almería, and a 2-0 loss at Getafe.

Sampaoli was sacked with the club just two points above the drop, and his replacement was José Luis Mendilibar. After an epic six-year spell in charge of Eibar that culminated in relegation, Mendilibar took charge of Deportivo Alavés midway through the 2021/22 season but lasted just four months, leaving the club in last place and paving the way for the club's relegation. Nearly one year after his exit, he returned to management on March 21 and took the reins in Andalusia.

In his first game in charge, Mendilibar went with his trademark 4-2-3-1 formation with Marseille loanee Pape Gueye pairing Joan Jordán in central midfield. Sevilla would prevail 2-0 at Cádiz via goals from Lucas Ocampos and Youssef En-Nesyri, securing their first away win since October 15, before going ahead 2-0 only to concede two late goals and draw 2-2 at home against Celta de Vigo.