Real Madrid – Sevilla: Vinícius Jr. Upsets Unlucky Sevilla (2-1)

Real Madrid came from behind to beat Sevilla in a clash between two teams that could go top of the LaLiga table with a win. Though Julen Lopetegui’s side had many chances early in the match, they could not put their shots away, and eventually fell to a brilliant strike from Vinícius Júnior. 

Tactical analysis and match report by Charlie Tuley.

Real Madrid entered Matchday Fifteen already possessing a one point advantage over second-placed Atlético Madrid in LaLiga. Carlo Ancelotti’s men were coming off a 3-0 win in the Champions League over Moldovan side Sheriff Tiraspol that secured them a place in the round of sixteen.

As he has done for much of the season, Ancelotti only made one change in the starting eleven from the match against Sheriff. He consistently has rotated at the right winger position, switching between Rodrygo and Marco Asensio. As Rodrygo started in the Champions League on Wednesday, Asensio started against Sevilla. The team’s defense was made up of Dani Carvajal, Éder Militão, David Alaba, Ferland Mendy, while the midfield was the typical trio of Luka Modrić, Casemiro, and Toni Kroos. Vinícius Júnior and Karim Benzema joined Asensio to make up the forward line.

Lopetegui’s Sevilla have been on fire in LaLiga this season, as they came into Matchday Fifteen third-placed, only behind Real Madrid and Real Sociedad, the latter of which they possess a game in hand over. Though their form in the domestic league this season has been quite good, their performances in the Champions League have been of a lower standard. They picked up their first win of their European campaign on Tuesday, as they beat bottom-of . . .