Sevilla FC fell 2-1 to Bayer Leverkusen at the BayArena on Saturday, a defeat that left Luis García Plaza's side questioning its attack and defensive solidity ahead of the league start.
What happened in the friendly?
The Andalusian side opened the scoring through Miguel Sierra, a youth player who became the summer's top scorer with three goals. However, German striker Schick answered with two goals (minute 66 and 78), turning the match around and leaving Sevilla without answers in the second half. Referee Timo Gerach oversaw the game before a modest crowd in the 30,000‑seat stadium.
Why does this result matter?
The friendly highlighted the lack of a striker to replace Akor Adams, who moved to Venezia. With Sierra as the summer's top scorer, pressure falls on the squad to find a reliable goal‑getter. Moreover, the defence showed vulnerabilities, conceding two second‑half goals, a concern for García Plaza a week before the first official match against Rayo Vallecano.
How does this fit the season?
Sevilla finished the 2025 campaign in 16th place in La Liga with 34 points, 9 wins, 7 draws and 15 losses, and a recent run of W‑L‑L‑L‑D. Overall, the club has scored 39 goals and conceded 51, a -12 goal difference, sitting 45 points behind leaders Barcelona. These figures underline the urgency to strengthen both the attack and midfield before the next fixture against Real Madrid on 2027‑02‑21.
What’s next for Sevilla?
After the loss, the team returns to training in Seville, aiming to correct the flaws identified. The next test will be the official debut at the Sánchez Pizjuán against Rayo Vallecano, where García Plaza will try to field a more balanced lineup. Meanwhile, the board continues to assess market options to bolster the forward line and midfield before the season kicks off.
