How have Sevilla become unbeatable at home yet winless away?

As another international break arrives to spoil our weekend, let’s take a look back at one of the most bemusing records in European football: Sevilla’s inability to win away from home in the league this season. They’ve gone 15 matches in the league without picking up three points and that extends to another five matches in Europe – their only success coming in the Copa del Rey where they’ve managed to win three, two of which were against lower league opposition.

What makes the situation even more bizarre is Sevilla’s home form is in stark contrast to that, winning 13 matches in a row at the Sanchez Pizjuan. In Europe it’s a similar story as they’ve won four out of five at home, plus all of their matches in the Copa del Rey as well. The only blips on that record are two opening home losses in the league and a defeat to a very impressive Manchester City in the Champions League, the last team to walk away victorious from Seville – all the way back on the 3rd of November.

So what’s the problem? Does playing in front of their home crowd make a key difference to how the team performs? After so long without a victory on the road, has it become a mental issue more than anything? Or perhaps it’s simply down to team selection and a change of tactics? I spoke to the ABC Sevilla team for their opinion and, maybe unsurprisingly, all of them offered different reasons.

The power of the Sanchez-Pizjuan?

First of all, it’d be wrong to dismiss the influence of the Sanchez-Pizjuan. If you ask anyone who has had the pleasure of visiting the place, they’ll all tell you of the atmosphere it can create. While the current trend is to build goldfish bowl looking stadiums, most aren’t built with atmosphere in mind. The older, classic stadiums manage to keep every chant locked in and the Sanchez-Pizjuan is no different - the fans are closer to the pitch too and, when things are going well, it can turn into a real cauldron.

As in the case inside most Spanish grounds, they can also be quite demanding. Earlier on in the season when the club had lost it’s opening two matches at home and were struggling against Rayo Vallecano, fans began to lose patience with the side. There were trickles of boos and a few began to question Unai Emery, a surprise given the fact he’s won back-to-back Europa League titles. But, as the old saying goes, you’re only as good as your last match. They managed to beat Rayo and the rest is history.

“I don’t think it’s a question of tactics as the lines-ups are practically identical. There’s a lack of control or a bit of bad luck that has cost Sevilla victories - they’ve drawn away nine times this season, more than anyone else.” That’s the opinion of local journalist Fran Montes de Oca. It’s true luck has deserted Sevilla at times, particularly against Getafe recently. “For me, the fans at home push the team a lot and that makes the difference.”

A lack of belief inside the dressing room that they can win away?

A lack of confidence is understandable. Sevilla’s left back, Sergio Escudero, who has featured more away than at home this season, says the team work hard to win every match whether it’s home or away. “It’s complicated, to not say impossible, to qualify for the Champions League places without winning an away match – but I’m convinced away victories will come.”

Roberto Arrocha believes it is down to the mindset of the players and therefore it’s psychological issue and not a tactical problem or personnel related one. “The players come out at the Sanchez-Pizjuan, they know they’re going to win. The doubts creep in when they play away. I think that’s the real problem.” It’s worth bearing in mind that Sevilla haven’t tasted victory on the road since last May, versus Malaga. “I do think that when Sevilla do win a match away from home it’ll remove the pressure and more victories will come.”

Due to how tight it is for those European spots the confidence gained by beating Villarreal two weeks ago has quickly been replaced by pessimism after a defeat to Real Madrid, coupled with victories for Celta Vigo and Athletic Club, meant they dropped down to sixth place. It seems remarkable that a side without an away victory in the league is so high in the table. In fact, Sevilla are just one of only three sides in the major European leagues to be winless on their travels – Academica in Portugal and Hellas Verona from Italy the other two – and those two both find themselves in the relegation places of their respective leagues.

Unai Emery responded to questions about Sevilla’s away from in his usual, colourful way. “There are players who are being brought into the side to improve performances. We need to correct and learn from our mistakes but the stories (of how to improve) from your granddad and the milkman don’t mean anything. We haven’t won away from home but it’s important to incorporate players who are in better form.”

No Banega, no party?

There has been a distinct change in tactics, too, compared to the opening 6-8 fixtures away from home. Emery experimented with a 4-4-2 formation initially but that didn’t work, then looked for a more physical approach in the final third and favoured Fernando Llorente over Kevin Gameiro. Llorente has been one of the disappointments of the season, despite arriving on a free transfer, and in recent weeks Gameiro has spearheaded the Sevilla attack both at home and away.

Elsewhere the biggest differences in terms of personnel has been at right back and attacking midfield. Mariano tends to start at fullback for the home fixtures and has 10 starts to his name at the Sanchez-Pizjuan whereas it’s the more experienced Coke who is preferred away, he’s also started 10 out of 15 available on the road. There’s been further experimentation with the defence with Daniel Carriço, Sergio Escuedero and Federico Fazio all making more appearances away rather than at home as Emery looks to find a solution.

The other key difference, and perhaps the most obvious, is how little Ever Banega has played away from Seville. At home he’s started 12 of the 15 available whereas he only has four starts to his name away. In his place it’s often been Vicente Iborra, a more physical attacking midfielder but one who’s limited, creativity wise. It’s no secret that Sevilla are looking to protect Banega’s knee, so perhaps they want to avoid playing him for 90 minutes every week.

Jaime Parejo believes the blame lies at Emery’s doorstep. “Emery thinks about his opponent more when playing away. He obsesses a little to try and nullify the threats of the opposite instead of maximising the qualities of Sevilla.” Jaime says that is also why Banega plays more at home. “Emery is braver at home, he plays Banega to help control the game and play it along the floor whereas using Iborra is a more direct option.”

With only four opportunities left to record that elusive away victory time is running out for Sevilla. Valencia, Sporting Gijon and Espanyol are all at the wrong end of the table so, on paper, are definitely winnable before they close out the season with a trip to San Mames to face Athletic Club, a side they’ll play against twice more in the Europa League. If Sevilla have aspirations of making the Champions League via their league position, they’ll need to win at least three of those four matches.

Although they could just win the Europa League again, I suppose.

A huge thanks to the guys at ABC Sevilla for their time and opinion on the subject. You can follow them all on Twitter: @MontesdeOcaFran, @RarrochaR and @Jaime_Parejo.