Sevilla: 4 reasons they’ll end Real Madrid’s unbeaten streak
By Thuya Kyaw
4. Jorge Sampaoli’s tactics
The Argentine’s aggressive and fast paced approach has troubled Real Madrid in two out of three times they have played this season.
The first time Sampaoli faced off against Zinedine Zidane was the UEFA Super Cup back in August. Although Real Madrid opened up the scoring that night, Sevilla bounced back with two goals to take the lead. Sevilla played superb in that game with a new formation of 3-4-3, going head to head against the European champions. However, a very late goal from Sergio Ramos meant the game continued to the extra time. Timothee Kolodziejczak ended up getting sent off during the extra time and a very tired Sevilla eventually lost the match.
Although Madrid ran rampant during their second meeting, Zidane looked tactically outclassed during their third meeting on Thursday. Both teams rested many starters and it was Sampaoli who got his tactics exactly spot on. His systems of 3-4-2-1 and 4-1-4-1 throughout the match kept Madrid at bay and only the lack of concentration at the end denied them the chance to stop Los Blancos’ unbeaten record.
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It is almost impossible to predict what system Sampaoli will field on Sunday, but it won’t be surprising if he gets the better of Zidane again.