FOUR GAMES WITH CAPARRÓS AND ONLY ONE GOAL CONCEDED

Joaquín Caparrós has now been in charge for four matches in his third spell at Sevilla FC and can be analysed in a bit more depth. Since taking charge after the match against Slavia Prague, Caparrós has taken charge of four league games, two at home and two away, as well as the friendly Antonio Puerta Trophy. Caparrós has been able to leave his mark on a squad that he was already familiar with. Intensity, organisation, and a four-man defence has helped the team rediscover its defensive solidarity.

The stats speak for themselves and, in four league games, the team has only conceded one goal and that was a penalty. That was in the game against Valencia CF which was the only game in which Caparrós' team has not managed to score. Espanyol, Alavés and Valladolid all failed to break down Sevilla's defence, even more impressive when it is considered they are missing their first-choice goalkeeper. Tomas Vaclík's injury has prevented him from playing for Caparrós so far. Juan Soriano has not conceded in the three games he has played in, while Javi Díaz couldn't keep out Parejo's penalty on his debut but did come up with a super save to deny Gameiro.

After opening up a bit of a gap between the teams below them, Sevilla now have seven games to continue their fight for the Champions League places. The coming games against Real Betis and Getafe CF, the current leaders in this race. Caparrós has a positive record against Betis: he has managed in nine derbies and has two wins, six draws and one defeat. Adding his record during his time at Deportivo, Athletic Bilbao, Mallorca and Levante, he has managed 21 and achieved eight wins, ten draws and only three defeats. The final sprint is coming up and Sevilla have the momentum to achieve their goal.