Sevilla started well, but their season fizzled out as players tired. They ultimately finished sixth, which will be seen as a disappointment.
The main problem was that they played so many games. They had to go through Europa League qualifiers and also contest the Spanish Super Cup, meaning they’d played seven competitive fixtures before the season had even started for most teams.
This wasn’t a problem at first and they were even top of the LaLiga table after eight rounds, but eventually those extra minutes proved costly.
Also problematic was their poor away form. Sevilla have long been much better at home at the Estadio Sanchez Pizjuan than they have been on the road, but this year the difference was even more pronounced and they took 1.0 fewer points per game on the road.
The coaching was also a factor in Sevilla’s season. They had a new coach in Pablo Machin, but the characteristics of the players in his squad didn’t really fit his new 3-5-2 system and Machin probably needed a couple of transfer windows to bring in his kinds of players.
But he wasn’t given that time and was sacked after exiting the Europa League at the last 16 stage. Sporting director Joaquin Caparros replaced Machin and improved results slightly, but not by much.
Caparros won’t stay on as coach, so Sevilla need to find a new coach and revamp the squad for next season. But at least next year their season won’t start in July.
