Sevilla reach first international break with best LaLiga start since Lopetegui era

Sevilla have reached the first international break sitting fifth in LaLiga with 13 points, a start not seen at the club since Julen Lopetegui was in charge. Luis García Plaza's team head into the pause with four wins, one draw and two defeats, a cushion that allows them to face the rest of the campaign with a calm that has been rare in recent seasons.

• Sevilla are fifth with 13 points after seven rounds, their best start since 2021-2022.
• Only Barcelona and Atlético Madrid have managed to beat the Andalusian side.
• They hold an eight-point gap over the relegation zone and three over the chasing pack.
• The break should allow Kike Salas and Lucas Stassin to return to fitness.
• The Antonio Puerta Trophy against Aston Villa on 2 October will keep the squad sharp.

A start that puts Sevilla back among LaLiga's leading pack

With 13 points from a possible 21, Sevilla have established themselves in fifth place and completely changed the narrative of recent years. The four wins collected in this opening stretch comfortably surpass the club's recent returns, having spent the previous four seasons failing to clear 10 points at this stage and often flirting with the bottom end of the table.

The improvement goes beyond the numbers. The feeling around García Plaza's side points to a more recognisable version of Sevilla, one with the competitive edge and solidity the fanbase had been missing. Supporters are seeing a reliable unit once again, capable of standing up to the big clubs and managing games with maturity.

Only Barcelona and Atlético Madrid have beaten Sevilla

The strongest indicator of the team's good form is that only LaLiga's top two have managed to beat them. Both Barcelona and Atlético Madrid took three points from the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán, but the home side competed well in both contests and left a more than respectable impression against two title contenders.

That ability to go toe-to-toe with the favourites fuels the confidence of a dressing room that has bought into the manager's message. The team hold an eight-point advantage over the relegation places and are three clear of the sides pushing from outside the European spots, a valuable buffer ahead of a demanding run.

Sevilla's numbers evoke the Lopetegui era

To find a similar opening to a season you have to go back to the 2021-2022 campaign, with Julen Lopetegui in the dugout. Back then Sevilla were third with 15 points and went on to challenge for the Champions League places. The current tally, two points shy but built on a squad still under reconstruction, brings back feelings the fans thought had gone.

The previous four seasons had followed a very different path, with poor starts that forced the club to look down rather than up. This change of trend, beyond the numbers, offers breathing room for a project that is beginning to lay more stable foundations.

International break serves as a mini pre-season for key recoveries

The international pause arrives at a perfect moment for Sevilla. Luis García Plaza will have nearly three weeks to work with the group and bring back important players such as Kike Salas and Lucas Stassin, both expected to play key roles through the autumn months.

There will be no easing into it once the league resumes. October is packed with commitments, including two extremely tough away trips: Levante on 12 October and Real Madrid on 18 October, followed by a home match against Osasuna the following week.

Antonio Puerta Trophy keeps momentum alive before LaLiga return

To avoid losing rhythm during the break, Sevilla will play the 15th edition of the Antonio Puerta Trophy on 2 October. The opponents are Aston Villa, a prestigious friendly that will allow García Plaza to spread minutes across the squad and fine-tune details ahead of the return to league action.

The clash against the English side, a fitting tribute to one of the great symbols of the Sevilla academy, comes at a positive moment for the club. The fixture will keep the competitive spirit alive in a group that does not want to lose the momentum built over the opening stretch of the season.