UTD v SEV Europa League Semi preview.
After a lacklustre and unconvincing victory over FC Copenhagen, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer should have his squad firing ready to play quicker football.
The key to beating Sevilla lays in the transition between defence and midfield.
Sevilla play a high defensive line and press from the forwards and out wide while the defence remains compact and hard to penetrate.
Being setup in this manner requires tenacity and speed from UTDs defenders and midfield.
Which is why I think Fred will be chosen over Matic to collect the ball and move and pass in quick exchanges.
Sevilla have a tendency to be exposed via long ball on to pacey wingers, so expect to see Pogba and Maguire looking to put Rashford into space alot of the time from a switch of play.
This is the sort of game where Bruno, Martial and Greenwood will have to come looking for the ball and not rely on playing through the middle as Sevilla are compact and congest the midfield with bodies.
This game has the potential to be quite special and high scoring if both teams tactics are implemented and executed properly
Prediction UTD 3 Sevilla 2
Comments
all said and done... Man Utd 3 vs 1 Sevilla
This XI should be enough to get us through to the final and right now, that's all that matters. Bruno and Pogba will have to be at their best and we must put our strong foot forward from kick-off
Matic has to play. He frees up Pogba to join Bruno further up. Fred's defensive limitations means Pogba has to defend full time. Completely wrecks the sync between defence and attack.
I like what ole did with Fred/Matic last game. Fred is tenacious and can get about with more mobility than Matic. but in the last 20 minutes, especially if it's a close game. Matic would be a great option to come on and sure up the back and impose himself physically
Red@heart what do you exactly mean by Fred defensive limitations mate because if the midfield was selected on energy and defensive quality Fred would get in ahead of Matic every day? The only difference between the two is that Matic is more calmer and assured than Fred.
I support your preference for Matic over Fred because Matic is always better coordinated and visionary than the Brazilian. He makes a big difference in the pack❤