Page 49 - Soccer360 Issue 107

SEVILLA
LAST SEASON
FINISH: 14th place
RECORD: 10-11-17
MOST GOALS: En-Nesyri (16)
VALENCIA
LAST SEASON
FINISH: 9th place RECORD: 13-10-15 MOST GOALS: Duro (13)
VILLARREAL
LAST SEASON
FINISH: 8th place RECORD: 14-11-13
MOST GOALS: Sorloth (23)
Marcelino was unlucky to see his Villarreal side miss out on a place in Europe last season as he eventually transformed the club’s form after a terrible start, with a succession of positive results leading them to eighth place. That form suggests they can take the next step in 2024-25, however, replacing the goals of Alexander Sorloth will be no easy feat, on the back of brilliant year in Castellon.
The Norwegian struck 26 times in all competitions and has moved to Atletico Madrid, so somebody else will need to take the baton. Experienced duo Ayoze Perez and Nicolas Pepe are both useful additions to their attack and capable of great things on their day, while the defence is bolstered by the arrivals of Willy Kambwala and Pape Gueye.
KEY PLAYER
Nicolas Pepe
DID YOU KNOW?
In domestic football, Real Madrid have won 71 trophies: a record 36 La Liga titles, 20 Copa del Rey, 13 Supercopa de España, a Copa Eva Duarte, and a Copa de la Liga.
A big improvement is needed for Sevilla
in the new season if they want to jump from mid-table to European contention again. Not even their notorious record on the continental stage could rescue them last term as they finished bottom of their Champions League group, with their league form continually underwhelming.
They have their work cut out this time around too, as the departures of Rafa Mir and Youssef En-Nesyri will cut plenty of goals from the squad, so new signings Kelechi Iheanacho and Peque Fernandez will need to hit the ground running for the club to avoid a potentially awkward season. It will certainly be a test for new head coach Garcia Pimienta as he steps into the most demanding role of his career.
KEY PLAYER
Peque Fernandez
Ruben Baraja surprised plenty of La Liga fans last season as he proved to be the steadying influence Valencia were in firm need of. The ninth place finish he helped to secure was an enormous improvement on 2022-23, where the club almost suffered the ignominy of being relegated to the Segunda Division.
The next step is bridging the gap to Europe, which they are capable of, but new loan signing Rafa Mir will need to make an immediate impact. Valencia will hope the 27-year-old striker is the missing piece of the puzzle, with Hugo Duro the only player to find the net with any regularity last season.
KEY PLAYER
Hugo Duro
SOCCER360 47
Real Madrid, Bottom:
The arrivals of Kylian Mbappe and Endrick give Real Madrid an unrivalled attack
Sevilla, Top:
Garcia Pimienta has his work cut out in his first season as Sevilla coach
Valencia, Top:
Valencia
will hope to continue the steady progress they made in 2023-24
Villareal, Top:
Villarreal are relying on Ayoze Perez to help replace
the goals of departed striker Alexander Sorloth