Sevilla are at real risk missing out on a Champions League spot as their struggles in front of goal in La Liga in 2019 continue.
Pablo Machin’s side had been the front runner to clinch fourth place, behind Spain’s Big Three, however they have lost ground in recent weeks – with in form Getafe overtaking them last weekend.
The team from South Madrid are now two points clear of Machin’s side in the race for fourth place, with the Andalusian club in need of a reaction in the coming weeks if they are to return to Champions League football, after missing out in 2018-19.
Defeat to Barcelona last weekend was highlighted by a virtuoso performance from visiting skipper Lionel Messi, however the toothless second half performance was one the home fans have become used to in domestic action, since the start of 2019.
They were unbeaten in their seven games in December 2018, across league, cup and Europa League matches, however that consistency has dipped in the past two months, with the goals also drying up.
One La Liga win in eight games in 2019 tells its own story, but the recent performances of Machin’s forward players has left something to be desired.
In fairness, French international Wissam Ben Yedder has on the whole, maintained his for the club, with seven goals in 14 appearances in 2019.
However strike partner Andre Silva has dipped off, with one La Liga goal since November 2018 – coming in the 5-0 mauling of Levante – a real concern.
Silva’s loan move to Sevilla was viewed as a risk at the start of the season, however the club were happy to take on the task of trying to reestablish the Portuguese striker’s confidence, after a nightmare first season at Serie A side AC Milan.
His start was promising, but perhaps the slide was inevitable, as Machin has begun to see exactly what the Milanese club saw last season, which is a striker perhaps not cut out for this level.
Midfielder Pablo Sarabia has chipped in with some important goals in recent weeks, mos notably the last minute equaliser against Eibar, but there is an issue with consistency throughout their attack.
Particularly when compared with the machine-like output of Jaime Mata and Jorge Molina at rivals Getafe, who are powering their unlikely push for the top four.
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