Opposition View: Sevilla FC

Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium with a positive result

The Premier League champions travel to southern Spain having won Group G with four victories, a draw and a solitary defeat on their maiden campaign in European football’s top club competition - and their reward is an exciting last-16 clash with the Europa League holders in Seville. 

Claudio Ranieri’s men head to the Spanish Andalusia region amidst a frustrating run of results domestically and will have to replicate the same rich vein of form which saw them progress above FC Porto, Copenhagen and Club Brugge in the group stage if they are to defeat the Sevillistas.

Daly, who has covered Jorge Sampaoli’s men on several occasions since the Argentinian replaced Unai Emery at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium last summer, says City will come up against formidable opponents who remain in the fight to win the La Liga title this season.

Speaking to LCFC.com this week, Daly said: “Leicester have a tough task ahead. Certainly, in the round of 16, they are facing a side who, of course, won the Europa League last season and indeed for the last three seasons. They won it last season because they put all their eggs in the Europa League basket.

“This season, under the fantastic Sampaoli, they seem to be able to fight on more than one front. While Real Madrid are favourites to win the title, Sevilla have been challenging for the top honour in Spain. They’re a very fast, exciting team and it’s going to be a tough two legs for Leicester City. 

“They managed to get a win against Las Palmas after a couple of games where they dropped points but they beat Real Madrid last month and have tested Barcelona, too, this season.” 

Daly pointed to Sevilla’s squad depth as another factor Ranieri must consider when naming his starting line-up ahead of the clash and said the Spanish outfit have options in every area of the squad. 

“They have a versatile squad,” he continued. “I don’t think they will maintain that title challenge, it’ll likely go between Barcelona and Real Madrid. We’re not quite sure what is Sevilla’s strongest first XI and that’s a challenge for Ranieri.

“They press high and work exceptionally hard. The technically gifted players they have in the final third are also notable. And Steven N’Zonzi has been one of the best midfield players in Spain this year; a tough tackling French midfielder who will give the likes of Danny Drinkwater a tough evening.” 

However, Daly has spotted a potential weakness in Sevilla’s system and revealed that their high-pressing game is likely to open up gaps in behind the backline - perfect for players of Jamie Vardy’s calibre to expose at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium. 

He continued: “By being so cavalier, you can catch them out on the counter attack which does play into Leicester City’s hands, especially if Vardy is making runs in behind. If Sevilla, under that atmosphere, in the last 16, can keep their cool then Leicester will be very happy to come away from that game with a draw. 

“Sampaoli spoke about the slight downturn in results lately and so expectation seems to have changed. Under Unai Emery, it was about winning cup honours and qualifying for the Champions League but Sampaoli has said ‘no, we want compete on every front’. 

“They’ll be fancying their chances, giving Leicester’s difficulties this term, but we’ve seen Leicester raise their game completely in the Champions League which makes it a very exciting tie.”