Sevilla FC: Three hopes, one fear

Sevilla FC have mastered the Europa League. Can they now take over La Liga and the Champions League?

Three consecutive Europa League titles. Five Europa League titles in ten seasons. Although there are certainly many different sides that can claim European glory during that span there are few who have had as much success during that time as Sevilla Football Club. The Red and Whites have turned the Europa League into their own personal playground dominating sides from all leagues and countries.

While the Europa League might not exactly be the Champions League it is certainly a quality football tournament. Need furtherproof? Here is a list of sides that Sevilla have beaten in their five title runs: Besiktas, Benfica, Borussia Monchengladbach, Feyenoord, Fiorentina, Lille, Liverpool, Porto, Shaktar Donetsk, Standard Liege, Tottenham Hotspur, and  Zenit St. Petersburg. Not exactly lightweights.

But the question is now can Sevilla take the next step and become a dominant side in La Liga and the Champions League? They haven’t won La Liga since 1946 and had a difficult run in league play last year (14-10-14, 52 points). Another magic run to the Europa League final hid the ugly end to their La Liga campaign: they lost six of their final ten matches and limped their way to an eighth place finish.

Even in Champions League play the club has struggled. Sevilla have never made it to beyond the Round of 16 in Europe’s top club tournament. So the question is: can Sevilla break the glass ceiling?

Supporters will certainly hope so. With the addition of manager Jorge Sampaoli, Samir Nasri, and Ganso there is reason to believe that this side has the tools to make the jump in both competitions. But the fear is that with so many departures that the club just won’t have the depth necessary to keep up.

So with that mind let’s take a look at the three hopes and one fear of Sevilla FC.