La Liga 2021/22: How Sevilla’s dominant first half display proved too much for Real Betis – tactical analysis

Sunday brought one of the most anticipated El Gran Derby’s in recent times as 2^nd place Sevilla hosted 3^rd place Real Betis at the Estadio Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán.

With Sevilla looking to keep alive their title challenge and close the gap on Real Madrid, Real Betis were looking to cement their position in 3^rd place, maintain their push for securing Champions League qualification and close the gap between them and their city rivals to just three points.

It was a game that proposed two contrasting styles in approach and in current form, as Sevilla came into the match with the best defensive record in the league conceding only seventeen goals but only winning only one out of the last 5 matches in all competitions. While Real Betis were approaching the game with the 2^nd best attack in the league scoring forty-seven goals, but they’ve won four out of the last five matches in all competitions.

This article features the tactical analysis of the game and explains the key tactics behind Sevilla’s dominant 1^st half display and why it proved too much for Real Betis to recover from as Sevilla claimed all three points.

Line Ups

Sevilla opted for Julen Lopetegui’s preferred 4-3-3 formation, and although Lopetegui has shown flexibility with different formations this season by using a 4-2-3-1 and a 3-4-3, he has used the 4-3-3 formation 43% of the time. Real Betis and Manual Pellegrini set up with their accustomed 4-2-3-1 formation with the curiosity being what part of the advanced three midfielders would Sergio Canales play as Manual Pellegrini has at times rotated what area of the pitch Canales plays.

There were notable absentees from Sevilla’s selected squad as Erik Lamela and Suso remained out of contention with ongoing issues. Karim Rekik and Anthony Martial who missed the Europa League previously were not risked and Lucas Ocampos and Jules Koundé were both still suspended.