The thursday's opponent: the Sevilla FC

Lopetegui deployed the 433. They produce game mainly with Reguilon's dribbling and assist for De Jong or Ocampos. They press and suffer it.

On corner kicks, they mark hybrids (very roughly) 3 in marking and 6 to make the little castle. In the offensive, on corner kicks, everyone usually leaves very far from the goal to make the layup for the header. In this situation, Koundè is very dangerous. It is important that Edin win the duel with Koundè, very strong especially with the head, when we have to get out of the pressing. We can either play ball on the ground, or throw long on Dzeko.

Although at the beginning they start with Ocampos (right) on the right and Munir (left) on the left, the freedom of movement of the wings is characteristic of the Lopetegui teams, so they could also play with perverted foot wings. Ocampos (right) is the most dangerous attacker: strong especially of the head, we have to be careful on the crosses on the second pole on him, he leans on the first pole on the corner kicks, but he also has a lot of technical quality in dribbling and an excellent shot. Instead of Ocampos there could be Suso who plays to the right, but he is completely left, he is deadly when he goes towards the center to shoot with the left. Every now and then Suso can move to the left wing or to the center (as Bale did in Lopetegui's Real) and the same can be said for Ocampos and Munir (who is a central forward adapted as a left forward).

They tend to seek dominion of the field even starting with the passing game from the goalkeeper, but they are dangerous especially when they throw along the fast wings. They will do pressing and attack play. We can also accept this game plan to catch them in counter attack.

The Andalusians are a typically Spanish team, typical of Monchi, typical of Lopetegui, built with a defensive midfielder (Fernando) who sometimes also makes the central third and two offensive midfielders like Jordan and Banega (basically an inverted triangle). Banega makes more passes, but Jordan makes the most decisive passes in the offensive phase (we are careful in the non-possession phase).

The team that will do better in the defensive phase, will bring home the victory. They play very offensive, so the key is to catch them in counter attack, where we are lethal.

Sevilla's motto is "Dicen que nunca se rinde" (They are said to never give up). So let's not expect an easy game. It is not easy, but I am convinced that we can win. We are in shape. We have the motivation to win. So, it is essential to field the HEAD to win. Daje Roma!