Champions League quarterfinal power rankings: Real, Bayern lead the way
By James Dudko
6. Sevilla
Sevilla took advantage of overly cautious United by striking the ideal balance between forward-thinking intent and defensive pragmatism.
A squad with quality in every area kept the Red Devils at arms length in Manchester. Part of the reason was a rock-solid back four led by impressive French center-back Clement Lenglet.
Yet it was in midfield where Sevilla made their class count. Argentinian pass-master Ever Banega ran freer than he had during the first leg at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium back in February.
Banega threaded passes between the lines while Steven N’Zozni powered forward whenever opportunities presented themselves. The Banega, N’Zonzi complementary double-act gives Sevilla enviable balance in the middle.
Manager Vincenzo Montella’s squad is also blessed with a lethal striker in the form of Wissam Ben Yedder. The two-goal hero at Old Trafford has been in red-hot form since the tournament began, using deceptive strength and sudden quickness to make life difficult for defenders.
Add the guile and trickery from wide areas offered by Pablo Sarabia and Joaquin Correa, and Sevilla boast a forward line as a deep and flexible as the best left in the tournament.