· 2 min readIn this Real Madrid vs Sevilla match, I analyse the key tactical moments, individual performances and turning points of the game.
Real Madrid came into matchday nine under pressure. With Barcelona in excellent form, dropping any more points was becoming a luxury the Madrid side couldn’t afford. Mourinho’s team continued to raise questions, particularly in midfield build-up, and Vinícius’s absence opened the door for Endrick, who was handed his first start after rescuing the team against Roma.
On the other side, Sevilla wanted to keep improving and move closer to the European places.
Mourinho shuffled things around: Valverde moved to right-back, Güler was placed in midfield and Endrick took up the right wing, with Mbappé leading the line. The change made sense, particularly given the influence Güler had on the game.
Real started the better side, although Sevilla also threatened. In the 17th minute, a dangerous shot from Valverde was only kept out because Mbappé got in the way. Shortly afterwards, Diomandé launched a counter-attack, but the winger once again made the wrong decision in the final moment.
In the 22nd minute, tempers flared after Güler caught Peque Fernández with an elbow. In my opinion, it was a red-card offence. The referee didn’t see it, but VAR had a duty to intervene. Güler wasn’t even booked, a decision that was difficult to understand.
The game finally opened up in the 30th minute. Bellingham found Diomandé on the left, the winger carried the ball forward and cut it back, with Güler arriving unmarked on the edge of the box. His shot was perfectly placed, virtually into the top corner, leaving Vlachodimos with no chance. An absolute screamer. Real were ahead and, eight minutes later, they scored again. Mbappé received the ball with a backheel, turned brilliantly, went past the goalkeeper and finished with his left foot. Composure, technique and fantastic execution.
The Frenchman could have scored earlier, but until then he hadn’t been at his best, even getting in the way of a Valverde shot. Endrick also failed to make the most of his start: by the 42nd minute, he had touched the ball just 13 times. Sevilla still forced a good save from Courtois in stoppage time, with Agoumé’s low shot, but Real deserved their lead.
In the second half, Diomandé continued to cause Juan Iglesias problems, although he kept wasting the good situations he created. He needed to get the final pass or the shot right. In the 61st minute, the winger played Mbappé through in behind and the striker won a penalty. He stepped up and chipped it down the middle. Vlachodimos dropped to his knees as Mbappé scored his second goal of the night.
Endrick came off in the 69th minute without leaving much of a mark on the game. Moving Valverde to the right flank and bringing Güler into midfield had given the team a different dynamic. Hopefully, Mourinho won’t go back to insisting on the Valverde-Tchouaméni partnership, because the midfield looked more balanced with this new setup.
Sevilla pulled one back in the 80th minute after Mbappé lost possession near the Madrid box. Manu Bueno carried the ball forward and fired a low shot into the far corner. The response was immediate: two minutes later, Diomandé received the ball on the left and smashed it into the top corner at the near post. A screamer to cap a night in which Real scored four goals, all finished with outstanding quality.
Militão’s return after six months out was another piece of good news on a night Mourinho really needed.
Post-match
The win was crucial and Real delivered. There are still problems to solve, but this performance offered some encouraging signs.
