5 reasons Sevilla will beat Juventus

Mercado has been a rock at the back, even scoring a 90th minute game winner in their last match. Partnering with Adil Rami, the Sevilla backline is a force to be reckoned with. They will have to be sharp the entire time against the Juventus attack if they want to come out with a win.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2016/11/22/5-reasons-sevilla-will-beat-juventus/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Juventus suffer injury blow </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><h2>2. Higuian is out injured</h2> <div id="attachment_426325" class="wp-caption alignnone"> <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-426325" src=https://playingfor90.com/2016/11/22/5-reasons-sevilla-will-beat-juventus/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F11%2F620795182-gonzalo-higuain-gestures-during-the-uefa-champions-league-850x560.jpg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><p class="wp-caption-text">JUVENTUS STADUM, TURIN, TO, ITALY – 2016/11/02: Gonzalo Higuain gestures during the UEFA Champions League match between Juventus FC and Olympique Lyonnais at Juventus Stadium on November 2, 2016 in Turin, Italy.<br>The final result is 1-1. (Photo by Nicolò Campo/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)</p> </div> <p>Juventus struggled and failed to find a goal in their last match against Sevilla. It will not be any easier now that their huge summer signing Gonzalo <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2016/11/22/5-reasons-sevilla-will-beat-juventus/"https://www.whoscored.com/Players/19729/">Higuaín is out injured for the match. He is leading the team in goals with nine goals in all competitions and is sure to be missed.</p> <div class="recent-posts "> <h4>More from <b>Playing for 90</b></h4> <ul> <li> <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2016/11/22/5-reasons-sevilla-will-beat-juventus/"https://playingfor90.com/2023/11/13/leon-juarez-playoffs/"> Leon edges scrappy FC Juarez to secure spot in playoffs </a> </li><li> <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2016/11/22/5-reasons-sevilla-will-beat-juventus/"https://playingfor90.com/2023/11/12/megan-rapinoe-career-defined-more-farewell-match-injury/"> Megan Rapinoe’s career defined by more than farewell match injury </a> </li><li> <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2016/11/22/5-reasons-sevilla-will-beat-juventus/"https://playingfor90.com/2023/11/12/barcelona-manage-comeback-alaves/"> Lewandowski scores twice as Barcelona come back to beat Alaves 2-1 </a> </li><li> <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2016/11/22/5-reasons-sevilla-will-beat-juventus/"https://playingfor90.com/2023/11/12/liga-mx-leon-puebla-finales/"> León chasing play-in spot; Puebla aims for higher seeding </a> </li><li> <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2016/11/22/5-reasons-sevilla-will-beat-juventus/"https://playingfor90.com/2023/11/12/tigres-goalie-america/"> Carlos Rodríguez emerges with clean sheet vs league leaders </a> </li></ul> </div> <p>With Dybala injured as well, this puts a lot of pressure on the Croatian striker Mario <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2016/11/22/5-reasons-sevilla-will-beat-juventus/"https://www.whoscored.com/Players/24088/">Mandžukić. The target man will be asked to be a constant threat to the Sevilla defense, holding up play and winning every header he can. It will be interesting to see how Juventus will line up now, as they often play with two strikers up top in a 3-5-2 formation.</p> <p>Besides Dybala and Higuaín, only three other players have scored in the Champions League for Juventus. Missing their star striker will hinder their attacking play, and they will have to heavily rely on their midfield and wide players to get crosses into Mandžukić. With Sevilla’s phenomenal defensive record so far, it is hard to see Juventus scoring many in this match.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2016/11/22/5-reasons-sevilla-will-beat-juventus/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> A Frenchman on a mission </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><h2>3. Steven N’Zonzi controlling the midfield</h2> <div id="attachment_426324" class="wp-caption alignnone"> <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-426324" src=https://playingfor90.com/2016/11/22/5-reasons-sevilla-will-beat-juventus/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F11%2F620632764-sevilla-fc-v-gnk-dinamo-zagreb-uefa-champions-league-850x560.jpg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><p class="wp-caption-text">SEVILLE, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 02: Steven N’Zonzi of Sevilla FC celebrates after scoring during the UEFA Champions League match between Sevilla FC vs GNK Dinamo Zagreb at the Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium on November 2, 2016 in Seville. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde Colomer/Getty Images)</p> </div> <p>French midfielder Steven <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2016/11/22/5-reasons-sevilla-will-beat-juventus/"https://www.whoscored.com/Players/39935/">N’Zonzi has been on a great run of form as of late. He has two goals in his last three games, and has really been a solid threat for Sevilla. N’Zonzi plays central defensive mid, yet still manages to find his way forward in the attack. His ability has been noticed and appreciated by the back line of Sevilla, and he is a key reason their defensive record is the way it is.</p> <p>Manager Jorge Sampaoli has used N’Zonzi in a few different ways this season. He has been the lone holding midfielder just in front of the back four, making tackles and often starting vital counter attacks. He has also been in paired with Matías Kranevitter and Franco Vazquez in the midfield, bringing a more dynamic type of play to the pitch.</p> <p>Juventus currently has one of the strongest midfield lineups in the world. They have depth across each position in a five man midfield, with wingers, wing backs and central midfielders galore. This will be a huge point of emphasis for Sevilla as they will have to lock down the middle of the pitch if they hope to shut down the incredible talent the Italian club will bring to the match.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2016/11/22/5-reasons-sevilla-will-beat-juventus/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Sneaky Sampaoli </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><h2>4. Formation wizards</h2> <p><img decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-426328" src=https://playingfor90.com/2016/11/22/5-reasons-sevilla-will-beat-juventus/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_560,w_850/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F11%2F620670188-sevilla-fc-v-gnk-dinamo-zagreb-uefa-champions-league.jpg" alt=""></p> <p> </p><div class="widget fs_ads"> <div class="fs_ad_widget-ad" style="margin:0 auto; width: 300px;"> <div class="fs-ll-ad" data-ad-type="minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet" data-vendor="minutemedia"> <div id="minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet" data-position="slideshow_inline" data-slot="inline_426321" style="width:300px;margin: 0 auto;"> <script> googletag.cmd.push(function () { googletag.defineSlot("/175840252/fansided.com/Playingfor90/mpu",[300, 250], "minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet") .addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.enableServices(); googletag.display("minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet"); }); </script> </div> </div> </div> </div> <p>Sevilla have started their last five competitive matches with five different formations. They can play with four or five in the midfield, one or two up top, and even three or four at the back. Jorge Sampaoli often mixes up the way his team sets up, bringing a different threat to each match. The team will have a big choice to make ahead of their match against Juventus, as the midfield will be an area of concern for the club.</p> <p>Juventus play three at the back, frequenting the 3-5-2 as stated before. With the injuries to the forwards, they will have to change this set up or be forced to play with a different formation. Sevilla should set up in the 4-2-3-1 if they want to come out on top in this match.</p> <p>The stacked midfield of the 4-2-3-1 will be a great counter to the powerful Juventus midfield. They will have more than enough defensive minded players to stop the overflow of crosses into the box, as Juve will be more often than not looking towards Mandžukić inside the area.</p> <p>With striker Vietto more than capable of holding his own up top, Sevilla would greatly benefit from this formation.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2016/11/22/5-reasons-sevilla-will-beat-juventus/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> A fortress at home </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—></p><hr id="pagebreak"><h2>5. Form at home</h2> <div id="attachment_426330" class="wp-caption alignnone"> <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-426330" src=https://playingfor90.com/2016/11/22/5-reasons-sevilla-will-beat-juventus/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F11%2F620623740-fbl-eur-c1-sevilla-dinamo-zagreb-850x560.jpg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><p class="wp-caption-text">Sevilla’s defender Sergio Escudero (2ndL) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Champions League Group H football match Sevilla FC vs GNK Dinamo Zagreb at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium in Sevilla on November 2, 2016. / AFP / CRISTINA QUICLER (Photo credit should read CRISTINA QUICLER/AFP/Getty Images)</p> </div> <p>A big contributor to Sevilla’s great form this season comes down to their home matches. They have lost just once this season at home in La Liga  to Barcelona 2-1. The five other home matches they played all ended in wins, outscoring opponents 12-6 in that time.</p> <div class="related-category right"> <div class="related-main-title">More from <span class="related-name">Champions League</span></div> <ul> <li> <a class="related-link" href=https://playingfor90.com/2016/11/22/5-reasons-sevilla-will-beat-juventus/"https://playingfor90.com/2023/11/08/arsenal-course-qualification-easing-past-sevilla/" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="related-category-shortcode">Arsenal on course for qualification after easing past Sevilla</a> </li> <li> <a class="related-link" href=https://playingfor90.com/2016/11/22/5-reasons-sevilla-will-beat-juventus/"https://playingfor90.com/2023/11/07/shakhtar-donetsk-deserved-winners/" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="related-category-shortcode">Shakhtar Donetsk deserved winners against Barcelona</a> </li> <li> <a class="related-link" href=https://playingfor90.com/2016/11/22/5-reasons-sevilla-will-beat-juventus/"https://playingfor90.com/2023/11/07/champions-league-real-madrid-braga/" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="related-category-shortcode">Champions League Match preview: Real Madrid v Braga</a> </li> <li> <a class="related-link" href=https://playingfor90.com/2016/11/22/5-reasons-sevilla-will-beat-juventus/"https://playingfor90.com/2023/11/06/barcelona-step-away-ucl-knockout-phase/" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="related-category-shortcode">Barcelona look to punch their ticket to the Champions League knockout phase</a> </li> <li> <a class="related-link" href=https://playingfor90.com/2016/11/22/5-reasons-sevilla-will-beat-juventus/"https://playingfor90.com/2023/10/26/gimenez-brace-ucl-feyenoord/" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="related-category-shortcode">Gimenez makes splashy UCL debut, scores twice to lead Feyenoord</a> </li> </ul> </div> <p>Apart from a 6-4 home win on the first match of the season, Sevilla has not let up more than two goals in any other home match they have played.</p> <p>The club will look to continue this trend, hoping to hold Juventus and ensure a full three points from the match. With a win, Sevilla would win the group outright, securing their place in the round of 16.</p> <p>After winning the Europa League title a staggering three years in a row, Sevilla are out to prove they are meant for the Champions League. A win against Juventus would be huge for the club. They will hope to continue their success throughout the competition, and will certainly be challenging for the trophy in the coming months.</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">