Lopetegui awaits Rakitic

In Nervión they yearn to see another Rakitic. More decisive. More correct. More protagonist on the grass. And Julen Lopetegui is waiting for him: he gives him minutes from the start of the season while trying to find his best version, the one that he already conquered in Barcelona and that tries to be applied also in the demanding tactical scheme of the Basque coach. He has played more than 2,500 minutes so far this year, he is fourth in the squad in goals (5) and fourth in assists (4). But Sevilla expect much more from the Croatian since he returned last summer.

Confidence remains firm on the part of Lopetegui, who used the player in various areas of the field, although above all accompanying Fernando and Joan Jordán in that core that demands so much sacrifice. The physical aspect was the great challenge of the player since the season began and the renewed competition jeopardizes his leadership in the eleven. Papu Gómez and Óscar Rodríguez broke into the second leg of the season as assets that can be adapted to a role similar to that of Rakitic in this scheme. The minutes were distributed more in recent weeks and even the Croatian was relegated to the substitution in important duels such as the last derby against Betis or the Champions League return in Dortmund.

Rakitic signed with Sevilla until 2024 and is confident of finding the desired regularity under Julen Lopetegui. The coach knows that the Croatian is one of his best hitting weapons from the second row, precisely in one of the obvious shortcomings of the team this season. Rakitic's five goals boost a degree of hope that he can be more decisive in the offensive ability of the squad. It is far from its best level. But Lopetegui is still waiting for it.