Real Madrid – Sevilla: How Madrid Survived Despite Being Outplayed (2-0)

Real Madrid closed out 2025 with a victory that said more about their resilience than their control, edging past Sevilla in a match defined by discomfort and disruption. Against an aggressive, man-oriented Sevilla, Madrid found goals through isolated moments rather than dominance, leaving the result to mask deeper concerns.

Tactical analysis and match report by Sebastián Parreño

Alonso's build-up vs Almeyda's press

In a must win match, Xabi Alonso set up his Real Madrid with looked like their usual 4-3-3. But from the opening minutes, it was clear that this was merely a reference point rather than a fixed structure. In possession, Aurélien Tchouaméni regularly dropped into the defensive line, between Antonio Rüdiger and Jorrel Hato Huijsen, turning Madrid’s first line into a back three and enabling a 3-2 base in build-up. Arda Güler and Jude Bellingham adjusted their positions accordingly, positioning themselves ahead of the first line as a double pivot. The fullbacks, Fran García and Raúl Asencio, advanced aggressively on the flanks to take the same height as the midfielders. With Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo playing narrow and occupying the half-spaces, Madrid effectively morphed into a 3-4-3 shape in possession, a structural solution already seen in their recent match against Alavés. 

Sevilla and Almeyda responded with a back-five system that was far more dynamic than the formation number suggested. Their 5-3-2 out-of-possession block was built on man-orientation at the back. The three central defenders followed their direct opponents aggressively, with Marcão tracking Kylian Mbappé, Juanlu . . .