TWO CONSECUTIVE CLEAN SHEETS TO GET BACK ON TRACK

Conceding goals in four straight games was a rarity for Sevilla FC. For a team who have built the foundations of their success on their defensive solidity, it was necessary to regain these sensations after some difficult weeks as they head into a critical point of the season. And it is clear after the last two matches that Julen Lopetegui's team have rediscovered the fortitude that has cemented them in the top four of the league. Not only did the team not concede against Real Betis or Elche CF, but Bono did not have to make so much as a meaningful stop, in stark contrast to the last four matches.

There were certainly moments in El Gran Derbi and against Elche that the opponents ventured into Sevilla's box, but never to the point that they could have threatened the scoreboard. In contrast, thanks to En-Nesyri who has rediscovered his shooting boots after a barren February, Lopetegui's men could find the breakthrough in the key moments and put themselves in the driving seat. Opening the scoring is a key trait of the Moroccan striker - no other player in La Liga has scored the first goal more times than Youssef with his total of eight. Furthermore, attention must be giving to the improvement in the striker's aerial presence as he is now the player with the most headed goals in the league with a total of five.

Last night's win, capped off by Franco Vázquez' stunning return to the goals, puts Sevilla in an enviable position now that all teams have played the same number of games. With eleven matches to go, all teams on 27 games played, Sevilla sit nine points clear of Real Sociedad in fifth place. After the international break, the 20 teams will enter the last sprint to see where they finish in the league. This weekend could be key should Sevilla manage to win away to Real Valladolid and Real Sociedad drop points against a resurgent FC Barcelona. In any case, it is clear that the defensive fragility beginning with the defeat against Borussia Dortmund has been resolved and this fortitude will be necessary until the very end of the season.