Restoring the balance

After conceding ten goals across three league games, Sevilla host Osasuna at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán on Monday 26 October. Kick-off is at 20:00 UTC, or 21:00 in Brazzaville. For Lucien Agoumé and Youssouf Fofana, the challenge is to help restore the control Sevilla have recently lost between the lines.

Sevilla lost 4-1 at Real Madrid last time out. They had already conceded three against Barcelona and another three against Levante, collecting just one point from the nine available over that spell. Facing two of Spain’s strongest attacks provides context, but cannot explain away every problem. The draw with Levante also raises questions about managing a more attainable result.

The key tactical issue is the distance between players. Once the first press is beaten, midfielders must protect the centre-backs without surrendering the wide areas. Asking Agoumé to challenge the ball-carrier, cover an advancing teammate and guard the edge of the box at once would stretch any structure. Sevilla need support around the initial duel so that winning or losing it does not determine the whole defensive sequence.

The club’s squad announcement includes Giorgi Kochorashvili and Jon Guridi, while Isaac Romero has served his suspension. Lucas Stassin is also available in the selected group. These returns give Luis García Plaza more choices; they do not confirm which players will start.

Adding support alongside Agoumé could allow Fofana to advance without leaving midfield exposed. That is a tactical possibility, pending the official team sheet. The balance on the wings matters too. Sevilla must offer their wide players enough assistance to attack while retaining cover if possession changes hands. Chidera Ejuke is in the squad and offers one route to creating that attacking threat. No projected lineup should be mistaken for a confirmed selection.

Jagoba Arrasate has returned to the Osasuna dugout and comes into this match following a win over Racing de Santander. Sevilla now provide an opportunity to see whether that improvement travels. A home victory can lift confidence without automatically solving the demands of playing away from El Sadar.

Osasuna have reported that Herrando, Aimar Oroz and Romain del Castillo are continuing their recovery. Those absences narrow the available options, but do not establish the final starting team. Ante Budimir is a threat Sevilla will need to manage in the penalty area. Preventing a good delivery is part of that task: defending a cross only after it has reached a dangerous zone leaves much less room for error.

LaLiga’s pre-match figures show Sevilla on fourteen points and Osasuna on eleven after nine matches. The hosts have scored fourteen and conceded sixteen; the visitors have scored ten and allowed eighteen. These totals describe vulnerabilities already exposed this season, rather than forecasting Monday’s result.

A Sevilla win would end a difficult recent run without removing the need for defensive improvement. An Osasuna victory would bring the visitors level with their opponents on points. Watch how Sevilla’s midfield positions itself during the opening stages: can it support the buildup and the press without leaving excessive space between those tasks? That will offer a more useful measure of recovery than possession alone.

Use SNA’s Sevilla–Osasuna match page for live coverage and statistics, and visit the LaLiga schedule and standings. The official team sheets will confirm both coaches’ selections before kick-off.