Imagine Seville in a bright red chiffon dress, with style and without an overly deliberate neckline. On that day, Seville was full of personality, an ingredient of fun, and will be remembered for their contribution with a fondness already tinged by the warmth of nostalgia on a cold night. And all without stealing the show: Atletico Madrid was still the topic of conversation the next day, the dazzling antics of the evening before the declaration of intent for the title. They beamed and the French groom was praised for his ease on the dance floor. Now add a large pair of red boxing gloves to Seville's outfit.
On Sunday, Los Nervionenses were an ideal mix of the perfect bridesmaid and a worthy sparring partner for Atletico. They caught Los Colchoneros with a punch to the jaw on several occasions, which brought them to life, turning on the adrenaline taps and moving with an agility that undoubtedly surprised even those in their corner. Ahead of Atletico's heavyweight clash on December 21, their ascent of the magical mountain with Barcelona, Sevilla was a test that went far beyond the practice session.
During the early stages of this season, every conversation around the Andalusian giants was about their limitations, every match was peppered with ifs. Thundering through and through. While the bat shakes around them like a snow globe, the dust never settles. The players, the manager – victims of circumstances, products of adversity. At the Metropolitano, Sevilla spoke on the pitch for the first time in a long time and shouted about what they do have.
For the first time this season, Atletico conceded three goals in domestic football. Diego Simeone's team had a run of one goal conceded in four games. For Sevilla it was the first time in seven months that they had scored three times, and the first time in eight months that their starting striker had tasted the goal nectar. Their performances accounted for 27% of the goals conceded by Atletico and 18% of Sevilla's total goals.
Granted, they have conceded four, but if you discount the nine goals scored by Barcelona and Atleti, they have conceded fourteen times in fourteen games. Looking ahead, that is a defense that is stout enough to win games with an above-average offense. The reality, perhaps hope is a better description, is that this game extends far beyond the capital of Seville. Manager Garcia Pimienta had no hint of negativity in his post-match press conference. His only regret was that they lost.
“If we play like this, we will win many more games,” he said, looking for the right tone between satisfaction and disappointment. “It was a brutal effort, the players put their lives on the line for the team. It leaves a bitter taste in the mouth, and it's clear you did things wrong in defense when you conceded four, but I still believe we played a complete game.”
From the view the cameras give you, high and wide, the two things you are most deprived of are the players' speed and vision. At field level, most top-level matches look like a maelstrom of moving bodies, and the trick is for the players to weave their way through at all. In that respect, Sevilla showed so much more than just heart and commitment.
Seen from above we could see that Sevilla kept making the right choices until the final phase. Atletico were not only kept at bay but also confused by Sevilla's use of the ball. In Dodi Lukebakio they have a star who is difficult to handle regardless of the opposition, and he was too hot for the home side for their first goal.
In their second goal, Sevilla moved from the edge of their own penalty area to just inside Atletico's in a move that took Isaac Romero 9 seconds, 6 touches and 3 players to score. In their third they danced in and out of reach, playing with Atletico, in a move that ended with Juanlu Sánchez, but with almost the entire team enjoying the ball in the opponent's half. On several occasions, Sevilla stretched Atletico's defense, only to cheerfully break through it.
For too long Sevilla have had a dismal relationship with the ball, a dismal approach to matches has become the norm. On Sunday there was life, exuberance, a rejection of the sullen attitude that has consumed the club – like Garcia Pimienta, every fan or player will rally around that personality. Sevilla came away from the Metropolitano without points, but they might have taken the bouquet.
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