Cast your minds back to the 2014 World Cup. The first thought that comes to light is perhaps Germany’s 7-1 trouncing of Brazil en-route to lifting the trophy. The Selecao were one of the favourites to lift the trophy two years ago, yet were well and truly outclassed by their European counterparts at the penultimate hurdle. Their progression to the semi-final stage included victory over Chile, who had won plenty of admirers prior to their penalty shootout defeat to the hosts.
La Roja were guided, of course, by Jorge Sampaoli. He would follow up Chile’s progression to the last-16 stage of the World Cup with Copa America success 12 months later before tendering his resignation at the turn of 2016. Again, Sampaoli earned adulation for his side’s performances, unsurprisingly winning the Manager of the Tournament accolade and named South American Coach of the Year for 2015.
Now, on Tuesday, he gears up for his first foray into club management since late 2012. Having been named Sevilla head coach earlier in the summer, and despite Argentina's best efforts to lure him away, Sampaoli’s first competitive meeting pits him against La Liga rivals Real Madrid as the pair contest the UEFA Super Cup in Norway. Sevilla have won the Europa League three years running and tonight face off against Los Blancos for the second time in the last three years in the competition.
Importantly, though, Sevilla face Real Madrid with a clean slate. They are starting from scratch. Unai Emery was responsible for the club’s continental success, but there is an air of mystery as to how the Seville giants will fare against Zinedine Zidane's charges following Sampaoli’s appointment. If his Chile side’s performances are anything to go by, then fans can expect an aggressive, high-pressing approach, with Sampaoli adopting a philosophy inspired by Marcelo Bielsa.
However, he has been dealt a blow in the exits of Kevin Gameiro, Grzegorz Krychowiak and Ever Banega, to Atletico Madrid, PSG and Inter respectively. As part of a deal for the former at least, Luciano Vietto swapped Madrid for Seville, while Matias Kranevitter also made the trip south to help ease the loss of Krychowiak. Franco Vazquez - who completed more dribbles (126) than any other player in Serie A last season - Joaquin Correa, Ganso and Hiroshi Kiyotake have also joined to swell Sampaoli’s creative options, while Wissam Ben Yedder provides adequate competition for a starting spot in the final third. Just how they will all fit in is a head scratcher.
Indeed, with the number of attacking options at their disposal, it remains to be seen just how Sevilla will line up against Real Madrid and that only adds to the appeal of the UEFA Super Cup match up. Sampaoli’s Chile sides were often full of surprises and the high-intensity approach means Real Madrid won’t be allowed to settle into any sort of rhythm. Toni Kroos and Pepe’s respective absences - both players were granted extended leave following Euro 2016 - means two of the club’s integral performers in setting the pace will miss out and Sevilla will look to capitalise as a result.
Indeed, Sevilla won their six pre-season outings in the build up to the UEFA Super Cup, which suggests the players have rapidly adhered to the tactical demands of their Argentine coach. This is indeed a concern to Zidane, whose Real Madrid side, while enjoying a 12-match winning streak to end the season, were somewhat unconvincing in victory at times. Factor in the absences of Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored 54 league goals between them last season, and it makes for a tougher task for Real Madrid to secure victory.
Of course, there is still quality running through the Real Madrid side. James Rodriguez, who despite being expected to leave the Bernabeu this summer, looks set to start - presumably to attract potential suitors - while Luka Modric should also feature following Croatia’s early exit from Euro 2016. The latter in particular is more than capable of controlling proceedings as his pass success rate in La Liga last season (90.9%, second only to Kroos’ 93.9%) suggests. Sevilla must err on the side of caution when necessary, despite Sampaoli’s high-intensity approach. If Sevilla press for the sake of pressing, then the Real Madrid midfielder can thread passes through Los Nervionenses.
With a well-rested Karim Benzema and Isco with a point to prove set to start in attack, Sevilla must be cautious. Despite the strength in midfield and attack, the defence remains something of a weak spot. If they are caught out by a patient Real Madrid, then Sevilla could be made to pay. Nevertheless, Tuesday’s UEFA Super Cup should prove a good indicator as to how far the latter, in particular, have come. Zidane has had a full pre-season with his players after his appointment midway through last season but many are yet to return to training, while - if pre-season has been anything to go by - Sampaoli’s ideas have quickly been translated onto the pitch.
Who do you think will win the UEFA Super Cup on Tuesday night? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below
Ben, just saying. James has said himself and so has Zidane, that he is going to stay. Many times actually. Benzema is not well rested by any means, guy is still not ready for 90 minutes. This should be common knowledge when writing such article.
@Exti in correct. Zidane's merely said that he doesn't want James to leave not that he is going to stay. Big difference