Copa del Rey 2019/20: Mirandes vs Sevilla – tactical analysis

Apart from the Barcelona game, there was also another clash between Mirandes and Sevilla in the Copa del Rey. Surprisingly, a La Liga team was defeated by a second division team, even though Julen Lopetegui started a strong team.

In this tactical analysis, we will show how Mirandes managed to beat Sevilla. It is an analysis that focuses on tactics.

Lineups

For the home team, Andoni Iraola’s side played in a 4-4-1-1 formation. They benched their second top goalscorer, Marcos André; also, the former Bilbao man, Iñigo Vicente. Their left-winger, Martín Merquelanz was the top scorer of the team, with nine goals this season. The skipper, Gorka Kijera was on the bench,making the keeper Limones captain on the night.

Sevilla rotated their team a bit, playing in a 4-1-4-1 formation, but it was still an experienced squad. Their centre-backs were Jules Koundé and Diego Carlos. Nemanja Gudelj replaced Fernando Reges as the sole pivot. Lucas Ocampos was rested, Munir El Haddadi and Nolito started on both wings.

Strategic press of Mirandés

In the early stages of the game, Sevilla tended to spread the ball wide early, especially to the right side of the pitch. The home team pressed intensively and strategically, committing numbers forward at the right flank.

There were few points to note in their press. First, they aimed for numerical equality, in other words, a man-to-man approach. With the pressure of the centre-forward, it forced Koundé to move the ball wide. It was a signal for Mirandés to press.