“Didn’t succeed” – Sevilla head coach speaks on Akor Adams’ peformance against Valencia

Sevilla head coach Matias Almeyda has weighed in on his side’s tactical setup in the loss to Valencia yesterday, with respect to Akor Adams, Afrik Foot reports.

The Argentine tactician opted to start a front three of Eduardo Vargas, Neal Maupay and Alexis Sanchez, but the attack struggled to create anything.

37 minutes into the first half, ex-Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta had to be withdrawn, and Akor Adams replaced the Spaniard.

Sevilla coach opens up on Adams substitution vs Valencia

First half goals from Hugo Duro and Largie Ramazani knocked Sevilla off course, putting them withing three points of the relegation spots.

After the game, Almeyda explained why he brought Akor Adams on in the first half to replace Cesar Azpilicueta.

“No, César Azpilicueta came off because he felt discomfort in his adductor muscle, and also, thinking about it from the outside, how they were practically playing with a back three.

“I thought that by bringing on Akor Adams we would have an attacking option, and that was one of the changes I was going to make. And well, then at halftime we made another change, looking for ways to improve things. And we didn’t succeed,” the Argentine coach said in quotes revealed by Futbol Fantasy.

Quizzed about why he didn’t included Akor Adams in the starting lineup, the Sevilla coach said;

“Well, the fans, that’s more your question, isn’t it? Of course, it’s more your question. We have three number nines.

“One is Neal Maupay, one is Akor Adams, and the other is Isaac Romero. I try them out to see who scores the goals.

“So I went back to Neal Maupay after his injury and opted for him, but also knowing that in the second half we could maintain that intensity up front.

“That’s why I made the change. I hadn’t liked Akor Adams’ performance the other day, like the rest of the team, and, well, we also try to make changes. And there’s also this: it’s very difficult to please everyone.

“If Neal Maupay had scored a goal, that would have been fine. And if he hadn’t, it was because Akor Adams played almost the entire match. So it was the same thing,” Almeyda concluded.

Sevilla have now dropped down to 15th on the La Liga table, and with nine league games left to play, they have to pick themselves up, and fast.