Real Madrid vs. Sevilla: 3 keys to victory on La Liga’s Matchday 35

After being bounced out of the Champions League semifinals by Chelsea at mid-week, Real Madrid have to quickly regroup and obtain three points against one of the best teams in La Liga this weekend, Sevilla.

Los Blancos accomplished the task earlier this season at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, winning 1-0. It was far from a convincing win, however, and Real Madrid will have to play significantly better in order to win on Sunday night.

Here is a look at three keys to victory for Los Merengues in La Liga’s Matchday 35.

Real Madrid need to defend wide spaces effectively

Sevilla have one of the most talented teams in La Liga, and they do a great job of making use of the flanks to attack. Their fullback duo of Jesus Navas and Marcos Acuna is one of the best in the league. The former is still going strong at the age of 35. Not only is he tied for the team lead with six assists, but he’s also first on Sevilla with 1.9 key passes per game, according to WhoScored.com.

Defending Sevilla will take a team effort. Real Madrid need forwards Eden Hazard and Marco Asensio – they are the expected starters, per MARCA – to work hard to support Ferland Mendy and Nacho Fernandez at the fullback positions.

Mendy should do a fine job of keeping Suso quiet, but Lucas Ocampos is the man to watch on the left side of Sevilla’s attack. He is not as explosive as he was before the injury, but he is still a threat and a really physical winger.