A penalty converted by Miguel Sierra in the 50th minute gave Sevilla victory in their first pre-season friendly against Juventud Torremolinos. The match, played behind closed doors, revealed tactical details from the new coach.
Sevilla, under Luis García Plaza, began their summer campaign with a narrow win against Juventud Torremolinos (1-0) in a friendly held at the municipal stadium. The only goal of the match came in the 50th minute when Miguel Sierra converted a penalty awarded for a foul on Jesús Cruz. The match allowed the coach to observe the initial ideas of his project on the pitch.
High Pressure and Wide Full-Backs, Key Identifiers
From the first minute, Sevilla displayed intense activation after losing the ball, with high pressure in the opponent's half. The full-backs occupied advanced positions, and the wingers tended to drift inside, seeking numerical superiority in midfield. These tactical details, although still in the polishing phase, hinted at the style García Plaza aims to implement.
Juventud Torremolinos, for their part, put up a fight during the first half. The home team managed to equalise possession at various stages and even created danger down the right flank, exploiting space behind Suazo. However, they lacked precision in the final pass to trouble Alberto Flores, who enjoyed a quiet first half.
Missed Opportunities and Debut of Youth Players
The second half brought a team filled with Sevilla's youth players, who injected greater pace into the match. The eagerness of the youngsters was evident in their intensity and quick ball recovery. The penalty that secured the victory came after one of those recoveries, and Miguel Sierra did not miss from the spot.
Forward Ibra was the negative protagonist of the second half, squandering three clear goal-scoring opportunities. In the 58th minute, he was one-on-one with Cuenca; in the 63rd, after a pass from Miguel Sierra; and in the 70th, again alone in front of the goalkeeper. His lack of accuracy prevented Sevilla from extending their lead and kept the match open until the end.
In the final minutes, Juventud Torremolinos grew in confidence and created some chances, well dealt with by Rafa Romero. The Málaga-based team did not manage to equalise but left a serious impression against a top-flight opponent.
A Useful Test for Both Squads
For Sevilla, the friendly served as an opportunity for García Plaza to assess his players in a real context. Guridi stood out in ball recovery, Manuel Ángel had two clear chances, and Miguel Sierra emerged as an alternative in midfield. The coach positively evaluated the defensive activation, although he acknowledged that there is work to be done in finishing.
Juventud Torremolinos, on the other hand, competed toe-to-toe for long periods. The Costa del Sol team, playing in the Segunda Federación, demonstrated defensive solidity and the ability to keep possession. The match was a good test to gauge the squad's level ahead of the upcoming season.
Sevilla's next friendly will be against a team of greater potential, where an evolution in their automatisms is expected. For Juventud Torremolinos, pre-season continues with the aim of being ready for the start of the league. The match was played behind closed doors by decision of both clubs, with no spectators in the stands.
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