Page 42 - Soccer360 - Issue 103

Sevilla’s defender Nemanja Gudelj (R) celebrates with teammate Loic Bade (L) after scoring
Valencia’s defender Mouctar Diakhaby (L) vies for the ball with Osasuna’s defender Pablo Ibanez (R) during the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Valencia CF and CA Osasuna
Sevilla
A 12th place finish for Sevilla may not sound impressive in the least, but when you consider that before head coach Jose Luis Mendilibar walked through the door in March to replace Jorge Sampaoli, the Sevillistas were facing a difficult relegation battle, suddenly it’s not so bad. Couple that with lifting a seventh Europa League trophy and it is not hard to see why the mood around Sevilla has dramatically improved. Most activity has gone on upstairs with Monchi moving on and new sporting director Victor Orta replacing him. Mendilibar has his work cut out but a push for Europe is not out of the question for one of La Liga’s more established sides.
Valencia
Valencia may not have even made La Liga this season but for survival on the final day of the campaign after a prolonged battle against what would have been a disastrous relegation. Ownership issues continue to plague the six-time Spanish league winners and it does not look like getting resolved in the short term. That means another season in the bottom half looks likely for Valencia although Cenk Özkacar’s loan deal has now become a permanent signature. Former Spain U21 midfielder Pepelu has also made the controversial switch from rivals Levante after only having just signed a 10-year deal with the club last summer.
NICKNAME:
Los Ches
MANAGER:
Rubén Baraja
LAST YEAR FINISH:
La Liga, 16th
DID YOU KNOW?
-Since its inception, a total of 62 teams have competed in La Liga. Nine teams have been crowned champions, with Barcelona winning the inaugural La Liga and Real Madrid winning the title a record 35 times.
NICKNAME:
Los Nervionenses, Los Hispalenses, Palanganas Blanquirrojos, Rojiblancos, Sevillistas
MANAGER:
José Luis Mendilibar
LAST YEAR FINISH:
La Liga, 12th
Villarreal
NICKNAME:
El Submarino Amarillo (The Yellow Submarine)
MANAGER:
Quique Setién
LAST YEAR FINISH:
La Liga, 5th
Quique Setien has impressed since taking over from Unai Emery at Villarreal
Losing head coach Unai Emery last October was a blow for Villarreal, but in stepped former Barcelona boss Quique Setien, who more than filled the void by securing fifth place in La Liga. However, Setien will have his work cut out to repeat that feat as the Yellow Submarine have lost arguably their three key players in Nicolas Jackson, Pau Torres and Samu Chukwueze. It does mean funds are available though, with Alexander Sorloth and the highly rated Ben Brereton Diaz both coming in through the door. How well Setien can manage what has been a revolving door at Villarreal this summer will depend on how those new signings perform, but troubling the top six should be on the agenda.
Villarreal FC presents Italian defender Matteo Gabbia (L), Norwegian striker Alexander Sorloth (C) and striker Ilias Akhomach (R)
42 SOCCER360 MAGAZINE
2023-24 LA LIGA SEASON PREVIEW