The most controversial match of the day: thus won Valencia 1-0 to Seville

Technical and Tactical Analysis of Valencia 1 – Seville 0

The match between Valencia and Seville, which corresponded to the 31st day of LaLiga EA Sports 2024/2025, took place on 11 April 2025 in Mestalla and ended with a tight victory for Valencia (1-0). This victory allowed the team led by Carlos Corberán to maintain his good streak, thus achieving his third victory followed and away from nine points of the descent zone. On the other hand, the Seville, under the direction of Xavi García Pimienta, suffered its fourth consecutive defeat, which has led the team to a crisis that puts in question the coach’s permanence.

Technical and Tactical Analysis

Valencia:

• Tactical provision: Carlos Corberán aligned Valencia at 4-2-3-1, seeking defensive solidity and rapid transitions. The presence of two pivots (Barrenechea and Javi Guerra) allowed the control of the center of the countryside, while Diego López and Luis Rioja provided breadth for the bands. Sadiq acted as a reference in attack, although with discreet performance in the definition.
• Planning: Valencia prioritized the defensive organization in the first half, yielding possession to Seville (44% for the premises compared to 56% of the visitors according to SofaScore). However, he was able to exploit the opponent’s mistakes at the ball exit, especially in the final minutes of the first time, where an elaborate play culminated in the goal of Javi Guerra. In the second half, the team was slightly repleted, gambled by contragolpes and defended with a five-line after the changes of Diakhaby and Fran Pérez.
• Fortresses: Defensive solidity was key, with Mamardashvili and Tárrega highlighting in containment work. High pressure after loss at a time destabilized Seville, which lacked clarity in attack.
• Weaknesses: The lack of contundence in attack limited clear occasions. Sadiq was not fine in the face of the goal, and players like André Almeida were unable to connect regularly in danger zones.

Seville:

• Tactical layout: García Pimienta opted for a 4-4-2, with Lukebakio and Isaac Romero as tips, supported by Sow and Sambi Lokonga on the double pivot. The bands were covered by Peque and Saul Ñíguez, the latter in an unusual position on the left.
• Planning: Seville dominated possession in the first half, trying to build from behind with Badé and Gudelj as central ones. However, the lack of depth in the last third and the individual errors, as in the game of the coupling goal, attracted the team. In the second part, Seville lost intensity and was unable to react to the redeployment of Valencia, hanging balloons to the area without success.
• Fortresses: The initial pressure generated several occasions, such as a shot of Sow repelled by Mosquera and a goal annulled to Sambi Lokonga by balloon exit. Lukebakio was the most incisive player, though without final success.
• Weakness: Defensive fragility in rapid transitions was exposed in the war goal. In addition, the lack of a clear benchmark in the area (Isaac Romero failed a clear occasion) and the injuries of key players such as Akor Adams and Rubén Vargas limited offensive options.

Game keys:

1. Gol in the psychological moment: The both of Javi Guerra in the 45+9 minute arrived just before the break, after a patient move that unmasked the sevilist defense. This gave Valencia confidence and demoralized Seville.
2. Valencian defensive solidity: The Mosquera-Tárrega couple, together with Mamardashvili, neutralized the sevillist attempts, especially in the second half.
3. Lack of sevillist reaction: Despite a good start, Seville did not know how to adapt to the party script after the matched goal, showing disconnection and lack of ideas.

Alignments

Valencia (4-2-3-1):

• Titles: Mamardashvili; Foulquier, Mosquera, Tárrega, Gayá; Barrenechea, Javi Guerra; Diego López, André Almeida, Luis Rioja; Sadiq.
• Supplements: Fran Pérez, Rafa Mir, Pepelu, Hugo Duro, Diakhaby, among others.
• Changes: Fran Pérez and Diakhaby (min. 85, by Rioja and Guerra), Rafa Mir and Pepelu (min. 75, by Sadiq and Almeida), Hugo Duro (min. 75, by Diego López).

Seville (4-4-2):

• Titles: Nyland; Carmona, Badé, Gudelj, Kike Salas; Peque, Sambi Lokonga, Agoumé, Saul Ñíguez; Lukebakio, Isaac Romero.
• Alvaro Fernández, Marcao, Juanlu, Suso, among others.
• Changes: No specific changes are detailed in the final minutes, but Seville maintained its structure without major variations.

Scores of Players

Based on the ratings of

@MamardaSecso in X and observed performance:

Valencia:

• Mamardashvili (8.5): Insurance under sticks, with key interventions such as a shot of Sambi Lokonga and a goal annulled to Seville.
• Foulquier (7.5): Fender, brake Peque well for his band.
• Mosquera (7): Solid in court, although with some imprecision in exit.
• Tarregue (9): Imperial in the area, highlighting Lukebakio in a providential court.
• Gaya (6.5): Right, but less incisive in attack than usual.
• Barrenechea (8): Great work in containment, giving balance to the midfield.
• Javi Guerra (9): Party MVP. Author of the decisive and omnipresent goal in creation.
• Diego López (7): Active by band, he attended War in the goal.
• André Almeida (6.5): Irregular, with flashes but without continuity.
• Luis Rioja (7): He contributed overflow, although he diluted in the second half.
• Sadiq (6): Imprecise in definition, did not take advantage of the few occasions.
• Substitutes: Fran Pérez (6), Rafa Mir (6.5), Pepelu (6), Hugo Duro (6.5), Diakhaby (S/C).

Seville:

• Nyland (6.5): No fault in the goal, safe in air balloons.
• Carmona (6): Right, but overcome in the gol play.
• Badé (6): Flojo in the brand, although he tried to lead the exit.
• Gudelj (6): Slow in transitions, claimed a previous failure to the goal.
• Kike Salas (6.5): He threw a dangerous counter, but inconsistent back.
• Fish (6): Disappeared at times, without imbalance.
• Sambi Lokonga (7): The most active in the midfield, with an annulled goal.
• Agoumé (6): He defeated War in a key move, without a card.
• Saul Ñíguez (6): Out of position, he did not surrender as in previous matches.
• Lukebakio (7.5): The most dangerous, with a galloped frustrated by Tarrega.
• Isaac Romero (5.5): A clear, unparticipatory occasion failed.

MVP of the Party

Javi Guerra (Valencia): His goal in the added time of the first half decided the party. He also showed leadership in the midfield, combining defensive work with arrival in the area. His ability to stand up after a cut and define precisely the long stick made him the key man.

goals and assistance

• Gol: Javi Guerra (min. 45+9, Valencia). After an elaborate move, Diego López leaked a pass to the area, Guerra picked up a defender, fell, stood up and defined the long stick with a tight shot.
• Assistance: Diego López, with a precise pass that enabled War in the area.

Arbitrary polyester

Sánchez Martínez’s arbitration was the subject of controversy, especially on the part of Seville:

1. Gol annulled to Seville (min. 30): Sambi Lokonga marked after a córner, but it was invalidated because the ball left the field before the auction, according to the VAR. Right decision, although it generated sevillist protests.
2. Possibility of prior to the goal of Valencia: Seville claimed a lack of Foulquier over Isaac Romero in the play that led to the goal of War. García Pimienta noted that the arbitrator had to review the action, but there was no intervention of the VAR.
3. Three criminals claimed by Seville: The Sevillistas asked for up to three maximum penalties in the first half for supposed hands and tears in the Valencian area. None were granted, which fueled the complaints of the visitors.
4. Card absence: Agoumé knocked down Javi Guerra in a dangerous driving without receiving admonition, which generated criticism from the local hobby.

García Pimienta, at a press conference, avoided directly blaming the referee, but said: “I never speak of the referee, but it is clear that today the decisions have not been on our side.”

Post-Partido statements

Carlos Corberán (Valencia):

• “I am very pleased with the team’s work. We have competed with intensity and we have been able to suffer. This triumph is another step to consolidate us in the quiet area. Javi Guerra has been spectacular, but I highlight the collective effort. ”
• On the arbitration controversy: “I did not see the goal’s move clearly, but I trust that the arbitrator made the right decision. We focus on playing. ”

Xavi García Pimienta (Sevilla):

• “In the first part we were superior, we created occasions and had an annulment goal. But in football, the details decide. The goal of Valencia comes at a key moment and we did not know how to react. I’m not gonna make excuses for the referee, but the decisions didn’t fall on our side. ”
• About their future: “I’m focused on working with the players. I know the results send, but I believe in this group and we’re going to keep fighting.”

Players:

• Javi Guerra (Valencia): “This goal is for hobby, which is always with us. It was a tough game, but we knew how to take advantage of our chance. We’re gonna go on like this to definitely get away from the descent. ”
• Dodi Lukebakio (Sevilla): “We had occasions, but we didn’t get them. It’s a difficult time, but we have to raise our heads and keep fighting. ”

Media and Social Media

Sports Media:

• Brand: “Valencia is allowed to dream. Mestalla again enjoys a solvent team that chains three consecutive victories. Javi Guerra decided a party where Seville was better at the beginning, but it was disinflated after the goal.”
• El País: “El Valencia transcends the fear of Seville. The Corberáns add their third consecutive win to get away from the descent, leaving García Pimienta on the loose rope after four consecutive defeats.”
• World Sports: “The key view of Valencia for the minimum. Corberán works the miracle in Mestalla, while Seville sinks into an endless crisis.”
• ABC: “Fourth consecutive defeat of Seville, which demands three criminals and an annulment goal. The arbitration left a rash of controversy in a party decided by a solitary war goal.”
• AS: “Valencia de Corberán flies high, while Seville plays background. The nervous crisis puts Pimienta against the ropes. ”

Social networks:

• General feeling: In X, Valencian fans celebrated the positive streak, highlighting the work of Corberán and the goal of Javi Guerra. Hashtags like #ADNVCF and #ValenciaSevillaFC were trending. For example, @LigasTopFutbol wrote: “WHERE OF VALENCIA: Third consecutive win by LaLiga. Nine points away with the descent.”
• Critics to Seville: The Sevillistas showed their frustration with García Pimienta and the directive. @blancoyrojo_sfc noted: “Finish in Mestalla with another defeat. The fourth consequential to the Seville in the struggle of the descent. Destitution?”
• Arbitral polemics: The decisions of Sánchez Martínez generated debate. Many Sevillist users shared images of the games claimed, while the Valencians defended the validity of the war goal.

Classification by the Lower Party and Restorative Parties

Current Classification (after Day 31):

• Valencia: 14th with 34 points, to nine points of descent.
• Seville: 15th with 31 points, six points from the red zone.
• Decreasing zone (estimated, according to recent dynamics):
  • 18th: Team X (25 points, to be confirmed).
  • 19th: Team Y (23 points).
  • 20th: Team Z (20 points).

Left parties (7 days):

• LaLiga 2024/2025 consists of 38 days, so seven matches remain for both teams.
• Valencia:
  • vs. Royal Society (house)
  • vs. Espanyol (outside)
  • vs. Athletic Club (house)
  • vs. Getafe (outside)
  • vs. Celt (house)
  • vs. Barcelona (outside)
  • vs. Alavés (house)
• Seville:
  • vs. Villarreal (house)
  • vs. Betis (outside)
  • vs. Osasuna (house)
  • vs. Rayo Vallecano (outside)
  • vs. Real Madrid (house)
  • vs. Mallorca (outside)
  • vs. Leganés (house)

Analysis of the Fight for Permanence:

• Valencia: With 34 points and an upward dynamic (five games without losing, three wins followed), Valencia is close to certifying the permanence. Faces such as those of Real Sociedad, Espanyol and Celta are affordable, although duel to Barcelona will be a challenge. Adding 6-8 more points would guarantee salvation.
• Seville: The situation is more delicate. With 31 points and four consecutive defeats, the team is only six points away from the descent. Key parties such as Villarreal, Osasuna and Leganés will be decisive, but facing Betis and Real Madrid complicates the panorama. They need at least 10-12 points to avoid scares.

Extended Analysis

Valencia de Corberán has found a good balance that allows him to compete with confidence. The arrival of the new technician has revitalized players such as Javi Guerra and Mamardashvili, and the defense has improved its consistency, highlighting Tárrega as a great revelation. However, their dependence on key moments, such as the late war goal, and the lack of a scorching front, as Sadiq has not managed to adapt, could limit their aspirations beyond simply staying in the category.

On the other hand, Seville is going through a deep crisis. The absence of key players for injuries, such as Akor Adams and Rubén Vargas, along with the lack of confidence in García Pimienta, has affected the team. The directive feels the pressure to make decisions, and a dismissal cannot be ruled out if there is no rapid reaction. Sevillist hobby, known for its demand, begins to lose patience, something that is reflected in social networks.

In short, Valencia has taken a great step towards salvation, while Seville is in a dangerous situation. The party revealed the virtues of one team in promotion and the weaknesses of another that is in free fall, with arbitration as a backdrop of the complaints of visitors. The next parties will be crucial to defining the future of both in LaLiga.