⚪️🔴-🟢⚪️ Short Thread : How did Sevilla take advantage of Betis weaknesses and annihilate its build-up pattern ?
The structure of Betis is well known, a bit similar as Sassuolo’s one, with Fekir sliding alongside Iglesias and Tello jumping on fullback. Sevilla wanted to keep short distances in midfield to force Betis’s structure to watch over and not move laterally.
Betis had, during this season, some difficulties to dose it’s defensive line, that’s why Sevilla’s #8s moved on lanes in final third to form a triangle and force unbalance in Betis defensive alignment.
Sevilla didn’t implement short passing circuits, because they knew troubles of Betis in the way to form defensive harmony. Scans were quite naive, and En-Nesyri - Corona ran in behind easily without being offside.
Same situation here, triangles in final third, and En-Nesyri’s excellent placement made his runs easier. Betis defense seemed completely disorganized, due to a lack of anticipation (scans).
Even Delaney, in a withdrawn position, faced a surprising absence of pressing, which allowed him to find forwards inside the box or orientate to the opposite.
Same process here concerning the plan to stretch Betis defensive line : Victor Ruiz aspired by En-Nesyri diagonal run so Navas can attack central space.
As I said, Betis off-the-ball structure had difficulties to slide. Therefore, many spaces could have been attacked, for instance Fernando… (Sevilla Central defenders frequently conduct the ball in that zone)
Or even Corona on the action leading to the penalty, he had much space in front of him, he eliminated his opponent. Disorganized and due to individual errors, En-Nesyri had many situations inside penalty area.
Sevilla knew Fekir’s drop offs in mid third can jeopardize defensive organization as he can orientate wide, eliminate, accelerate… he is unpredictable. So Joan Jordan and Delaney had to manmark all of his moves as soon as he navigates in their respective zones.
Because Betis can use Fekir’s drop offs for many reasons, and Carvalho sliding as fullback so he can create 2v1 in possession is one of them.
As Betis was constantly harassed when Fekir decided to get the ball, Betis tried to fix that issue by including another player to do the same strategy, but at the opposite to create numerical superiority : Tello.
Final point, relevant one: Rakitic, in Betis low build-up phase, jupes as #10 so Betis central defenders can not stand in numerical superiority, and En-Nesyri can press GK. Moreover, Fekir dropped off due to Rakitic’s move, but systematically marked.
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