AFP has deciphered the secrets of the triumphs of the Andalusian club with the Frenchman Julien Escudé, former Seville player (2006-2012) and winner of the C3 in 2006 and 2007.
. A will of the leaders
In the shadow of the giants of the Spanish league since always, Sevilla FC has never managed to make a place on the national level (only one title won in 1946).
From the first coronation in 2006, it is therefore on Europe that the leaders have set their sights.
"It was chronological. But there was a before and after 2006," recalls Julien Escudé, who arrived in Andalusia when Europe was still an unattainable dream.
"That's when everything changed for the club. Before, it was an average La Liga club, whose only ambition was to finish ahead of Betis Sevilla in the standings. But in 2006, (sporting director) Monchi changed his approach, and started recruiting European players with a good formation like Enzo Maresca, Frédéric Kanouté, Ivica Dragutinovic, me... And we achieved something that was, at the time, unimaginable for a club like that," recalls the former France international.
. A competition on the scale of the club
After the double in 2006-2007, "the club switched to a European reputation. And from there, he took ownership of the competition" with four new titles in 2014, 2015 and 2016 and then in 2020, explains Escudé, who worked with Monchi between 2019 and 2022 at the sporting direction of the Andalusian club.
Spanish defender and Sevilla FC Coke captain (kneeling) celebrates his goal in the Europa League final against Liverpool on May 18, 2016 in Basel © MICHAEL BUHOLZER / AFP
A tough championship, a city with two clubs, a stadium of 45,000 seats, finances in constant evolution... "Seville is the perfect model for a Cup of this calibre," sums up Escudé.
However, these cascading exploits are based on a little lie: "In truth, today, the goal is not to win the Europa League," confesses the former defender.
"The goal, every season, is to play in the Champions League and start to settle economically, footballistically in the best competition. But then, once we are back in the Europa League, well... it can no longer escape us, "smiled the former footballer, passed by Pau, Cannes and Rennes.
. A city that breathes the C3
Over the course of the six coronations, in Seville, city of horses, bulls, but also football, the Europa League has acquired a primordial importance.
"Seville is a city of passion. They have faith in religion, in the family, in football... And it's promising. When you arrive at the Sanchez-Pizjuan stadium, there is a showcase with the six Europa Leagues. There are images of the coronations that pass. At the training center, there are drawings, the same. You feel that weight," Escudé said.
"When you walk into the hallway of the locker room, you hear people singing the anthem, standing, you get on the pitch and you see all the tifos... You say to yourself: +there, we can not lose. We're going to do it+," says Escudé.
. A part of irrationality
Like the irrationality that links Real Madrid, winners of 14 Champions Leagues, to the queen of European competitions, there is also an inexplicable element in Sevilla FC's successful relationship with the C3.
In the quarter-final first leg at Manchester United (2-2), the Mancunians "put two goals against their side almost in extra time, it's crazy. But the players are constantly in their heads that everything is possible, that we can do it," said the Frenchman.
The Spanish club qualified by winning 3-0 in the second leg at home.
For both clubs, Europe has become "a professional obligation", according to the former Sevillan. And to conclude: "When you put on this jersey, you feel obliged" to go to the end.
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