Matías Almeyda’s Sevilla: Emphasizing Intensity and Tactical Aggression

Intensity, rhythm, and pressure are the cornerstones of Matías Almeyda’s Sevilla FC, compensating for some limitations within the squad. This approach has earned the team a reputation for being aggressive since the start of the season. As they approach the winter break, Sevilla leads the league in yellow cards and was the first team to have a player, Lucien Agoumé, suspended for accumulating bookings. Both Agoumé and José Ángel Carmona have accumulated the most yellow cards this season, with seven each.

In a press conference prior to the Copa del Rey match against Toledo in late October, Almeyda stated that his team’s aggression is rooted in a positive footballing context. “Sevilla aims to be tactically aggressive; our aggressiveness does not manifest in violent play. We do not engage in reckless tackling; our fouls are more about strategic holds. Many other teams may commit more fouls yet receive fewer yellow cards. We want to contest every ball as if it were the last, but none of our players are violent or play with ill intent; we should not be branded as aggressive,” he remarked.

The seven yellow cards issued by referee Muñiz Ruiz in a contentious match against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu raised Sevilla’s total to 55 yellow cards (plus a direct red shown to Isaac in the derby), which is eleven more than Rayo Vallecano, the second team in this particular ranking, with 44 yellows and three reds. No team in Europe’s top five leagues has received more than 42 yellow cards in this first half of the season.

Additionally, injuries plaguing the squad have significantly reduced Almeyda’s options during matches. This situation needs to be managed effectively when the competition resumes, a challenge Almeyda finds difficult to interpret, as he advocates for greater dialogue with referees. After being sent off at the Bernabéu, he expressed his frustrations in the press room: “I was sent off for protesting a foul. I would like them to listen to the audio recordings because it is easy to dismiss people. I am not a circus clown; I have my history and I value dialogue. We are turning the sport into something authoritarian, and that pains me. Request the audio.”

“I have never seen two penalties awarded in two minutes. There is VAR, and the officiating was poor today. I congratulate Madrid on their victory, as they were not favored by the decisions. I oppose the refereeing due to its poor management, which led to my expulsion. I was told they were tired of me speaking about respect. If I have displayed any disrespect, let it be noted,” he added. As a newcomer to coaching in Spanish football, Almeyda has received three yellow cards throughout December, all for contesting refereeing decisions.