Sevilla FC’s Struggles with Draws in LaLiga: A Critical Analysis

Sevilla FC has demonstrated a pattern of inconsistency during the first half of LaLiga. While they have remained competitive in most matches, the team has only managed to earn points in eight out of the 19 games played. With six victories and two draws, they have accumulated a mere 20 points, a figure that reflects their precarious position in the struggle for survival. A significant area for improvement for head coach Matías Almeyda’s squad is their ability to secure draws as well.

Currently, only four clubs from the top five leagues have recorded fewer draws than Sevilla: Roma (0), Inter Milan (1), Barcelona (1), and Lens (1). With the exception of Roma, which sits fifth in Serie A, the other teams are leading their respective leagues. When examining teams with the same number of draws as Sevilla, nearly all are positioned in the upper half of their standings, such as Villarreal, currently third in Spanish football.

The playing style of Sevilla does not lend itself to drawing matches, as they often play in a vulnerable manner and rely heavily on their attacking efficiency. Their two draws against Elche and Valencia occurred in games where they were more defensively solid. “We needed to secure two or three more draws, which would translate to significant additional points in this tournament. There were matches where we performed well but failed to capitalize, and others where we did not play as well yet managed to get results,” Almeyda stated prior to the match against Celta, where they left empty-handed due to a late error, similar to their experience against Villarreal.

In the 21st century, no Sevilla team has recorded fewer draws in the first half of the league season than the current squad. However, similar instances occurred in the 2006-07 (under Juande Ramos), 2007-08 (under Juande Ramos and Manolo Jiménez), 2010-11 (under Antonio Álvarez and Gregorio Manzano), and 2017-18 (under Eduardo Berizzo) seasons. In those previous instances, Sevilla accrued more points, with at least eight victories and a position in the upper half of the table.

“Many teams are in the process of moving up and down, and in fact, we are not far behind in points,” Almeyda added in a recent press conference. Despite their six victories, which are surpassed only by teams in the European qualifying spots, Sevilla struggles immensely when it comes to securing points from draws, whether it be due to failing to maintain leads or simply not being able to salvage positive outcomes. With the intense competition at the bottom of the table, it is crucial for Sevilla to learn how to draw matches effectively.