Highlights of Sevilla FC's 2010-11 Spanish top flight campaign – La Liga special (Part 1)
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Sevilla-FC-c40484 were expected to end in a UEFA Champions League qualifying spot come the end of 2010/11 La Liga campaign, however, the result left many supporters begging the question as to how their side could crash and burn in all competitions. Los Rojiblancos earned a dismal fifth place in the league, which was an over achievement given how poorly they had played for the majority of the season.
Things did not start well for Sevilla as they were resoundingly beaten by http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/FC-Barcelona-c39078 in the season’s curtain raiser, the Spanish Super Cup. After winning the first leg 3-1 at Roman Sanchez Pizjuan, Guardiola and his charges came for blood and won the return leg at Camp Nou by a thrashing 4-0 margin, effectively giving the club a hair rising spectacle at the start of the season.
Performances against the Catalans should have been taken seriously, however, then-manager Antonio Alvarez did not get hold of the situation. The team did not show any sort of chemistry between as they were taken apart by Hercules at the end of September after a string of draws against minnows http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Racing-c40298 Santander and former giants, Deportivo la Coruna. Defeat against the recently promoted side meant the end for Antonio, who was unceremoniously sacked after guiding the club to Copa del Rey glory in the previous season.
Gregorio Manzano was brought into the first team fold, charged with ensuring a healthy finish come the end of year. Sevilla continued their indifferent form over the season as they faced one problem after another. By the end of the season, the former UEFA Cup winners were in a disappointing fifth place. Qualifying for the lucrative Champions League must have been a priority, yet Manzano and the rest of backroom staff must have been happy with the clubs strong finish come the season end.
Failure to qualify for the Champions League can be attributed to the club’s dismal showing at the back. Needless goals were conceded as Sevilla failed to establish a central defence pairing. With full backs being outwitted every now and then by opposition’s advances, things were not smooth for the club. As La Liga culminated in May, Sevilla ended with a whopping 61 goals being scored against them in the entirety of the league.
This was a major problem for the majority of the season as Sevillistas endured draws that should have been comfortable wins. Matches against Deportivo la Coruna, Atletico Madrid and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/RCD-Mallorca-c40326 under the tutelage of Manzano were exciting games ending in draws, which saw the Andalusian club bossing their opponents for the majority of the season.
Champions League qualification was far from deserved with such a permeable defence and new manager http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Marcelino-c23540 Garcia Toral is well aware of the fact. He has reinforced the backline that conceded an astonishing 1.61 goals per game and will be looking for improved performances in the upcoming edition. Clubs of Sevilla’s stature should not be content with fifth place finishes and they should be looking to extract more from quality laden roster.
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