Three key clashes to watch as Chelsea duels Sevilla for first place

Chelsea travels to Sevilla to take on the defending Europa League champions and some key clashes will decide the fate of both clubs.

Wedged in between two massive domestic clashes against Tottenham and Leeds, Chelsea travels to Spain to take on Sevilla. Los Nervionenses proved a worthy adversary the last time the two met, playing the Blues to a goalless draw at Stamford Bridge on Champions League match day one.

Frank Lampard’s side comes into the match having already secured a spot in the competition’s knockout stages; so has Julen Lopetegui’s. The two are deadlocked at the top of Group E and this game will likely decide the order in which they finish. Any positive result for Chelsea should see Sevilla finish the runner-up as the former has a massive advantage in terms of goal difference. However, if the Spanish side captures all three points, the remainder of the tournament will be a challenge for Chelsea barring some French heroics on the final match day.

Here are three key clashes that will decide the fate of Group E:

1. Frank Lampard vs. Julen Lopetegui

Neither of these two managers is particularly known for his tactical mind. However, in coming years, this narrative may change. Both Lampard and Lopetegui have done excellent jobs of sticking with the formation similar to that used by their predecessors, but making it all their own.

Lampard gave Maurizio Sarri’s 4-3-3 a facelift and molded Chelsea into a team that plays with possession, but with a significantly more aggressive press than the Italian taught. Meanwhile, Lopetegui kept the unique wingback style played under Pablo Machin, but plays with two centerbacks as opposed to three. In the end, the two managers’ styles could not be further apart, despite playing in the same formation.

The Blues, as touched on earlier, press relentlessly. It’s the work of the forwards and Mason Mount when off the ball that allows Lampard’s aggressive style to work. Chelsea will possess the ball for most of the game and work swiftly to get it back. Meanwhile, Lopetegui’s Sevilla sees the fullbacks—dubbed wingbacks in this formation, despite being unconventional—attack without caring for their defensive duties. The Spaniards rely on the work of the midfielders, usually one of the defensive mids, to keep a compact shape after losing control of the ball. The ball-side centerback will push the attacker out to one wing while the midfielder acts as a third centerhalf. This allows the wingback time to track back and limits attacking options in the center.

You might be wondering why I’m going full nerd and breaking down the specifics of each manager’s tactics. Reason being, when these two underrated tacticians clash, the match becomes one giant game of chess. The first meeting—a 0-0 stalemate—saw both sides have a limited number of chances. Expect much of the same from the series’ second installment with the team executing better on the day coming out on top. Lampard’s press versus Lopetegui’s makeshift centerback/wingback heavy possession style will see all eyes turn to the midfield. Although similar, the tactical nuances give the formations unique personalities.