La Liga Hangover: Do Barca, Real and Atleti Have a Title Challenger in Sevilla?

Even the driving rain and the thousands of brollies couldn’t take the edge off them. Though bunkered down, huddled together amid the deluge, those inside the soaking wet Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium let go of a deep, heartfelt roar. It was the sort you get amid the euphoria of a winning strike, but this came for the final whistle instead, in a way it normally doesn’t, and that itself pointed to a recognition—this was big.

Sevilla, of course, know a thing or two about big victories and so does the Pizjuan. The Andalucians have won three straight Europa League finals and in the last 13 months have defeated Barcelona, Real Madrid and Juventus at home in their red cauldron.

Atletico Madrid, though, had consistently escaped them, not just recently but for a long time. But Sunday changed that, and it matters. 

Sevilla’s 1-0 win thanks to Steven N’Zonzi’s second-half goal snapped a 13-game winless run against Atleti. Manager Diego Simeone had presided over 11 of those, and there had been some thrashings dished out by Cholo and Co. in that time: two 4-0s, a 3-0 and a 3-1.

The 3-0 came last season at the Pizjuan, toppling the fortress. The rematch at the Vicente Calderon then saw the men from the south opt for the most rugged, defensive lineup they had, scrapping their way to a 0-0 draw while conceding almost 70 per cent possession to a team well-versed in doing so themselves. It was a concession of inferiority. 

Sunday couldn’t have been more different, however. In conditions that were more Sunderland than Seville, with manager Jorge Sampaoli dressed like a garden gnome for protection, the hosts sought the initiative that the former Chile boss had outlined on the day he was presented back in June. 

“We’ll be an extremely attacking team,” he said back then to the club’s official website (h/t Fox Sports). “That allows us to control and seek our objectives and not wait for them to find us.”

Several months on, there’s something in that line. Sevilla’s style is bold and differs significantly from the conservative approach that crept in a little too much in the final year of Unai Emery’s tenure.

Through the early weeks of the season there have been some doubts, and Sevilla haven’t always convinced; late goals and some doses of luck masking flaws. But throughout, the commitment to the encompassing idea hasn’t wavered—put the ball on the floor, push men forward and attack. 

Sunday suggested it’s now coming together. It also raised the question over whether Sevilla are in the title race. 

FT #SevillaFCAtleti 1-0Sevilla maintain 100% record at home and go top of #LaLigaSantander pic.twitter.com/BtjnYXVlpY

— LaLiga (@LaLigaEN) October 23, 2016

Sevilla’s best display of the season. Complete, collective triumph. Solid defensively, and vibrant in attack. Amazing second half.

— David Cartlidge (@davidjaca) October 23, 2016

Against what might be the best team in Europe right now, Sampaoli’s men dictated terms. After a tight first half, the home side started the second in the blaze. Samir Nasri hit the post from the edge of the box with Jan Oblak beaten, and minutes later Vitolo drew a fine, close-range save from the Slovenian. Soon after they had their goal, a surging N’Zonzi bursting through Atleti’s lines with help from Luciano Vietto. 

It was in midfield where it started. Since being condemned to what the Sun (always so fair in its assessments) called “fat camp” by Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, Nasri’s loan switch to Spain’s south has been flawless to date and on Sunday he continued his exemplary form. 

Floating from side to side, probing forward, coming deep when needed, the Frenchman showed he’s becoming the central conductor Sevilla haven’t quite had. He and N’Zonzi, who was also excellent at the base of the midfield, …

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