Leeds United sporting director Victor Orta’s longest spell came at Sevilla, where he worked as Monchi’s right-hand man for seven years, between 2006 and 2013.
The La Liga side will travel to England as they take on West Ham United in the second leg of the Europa League last 16 tie on Thursday. The first leg in Spain saw the Hammers suffer a 1-0 defeat.
Orta knows West Ham very well, from his time in the English game, and after David Moyes’ side faced the Whites twice this season. The first time was in the league last September, a match they won 2-1 at Elland Road, and the next was in January when the Hammers sealed a 2-0 win in the FA Cup.
Ahead of the tie between Sevilla and West Ham, ABC Sevilla interviewed Orta, and he discussed the English club’s tactics and what Julen Lopetegui’s side can expect from their hosts at the London Stadium.
“I think the first leg described a lot of what West Ham is,” the Leeds director said.
“A team that doesn’t blush about defending, for going back with almost seven or eight players behind the ball and playing a clearly counterattacking game system, with a type of direct game with Michail Antonio in which they use a lot of second plays and with a clear plan in which they try to take advantage of their physical superiority in set pieces.
“I think that Sevilla were very good in the first leg. They were patient, waited for their moment… I think that’s the best way to counter West Ham’s virtues.”
“You have to be sure with the ball in your own field, not make absurd mistakes because they always release several players in the offensive zone. They also hurt by pressing them in a high block, since they lack quality to get the ball out to the central defenders.
“Also, I think the most important thing is not to give anything away so that they are able to make a quick transition for you. You also have to be careful not to make lateral faults.”
“If Sevilla have personality, they try to have the ball, because if they manage it well, as they did in many moments of the first leg, it is difficult for them. And then, as always in Europe, it is important to take advantage of the opponent’s mistakes and not make them.
“In any case, I think that what West Ham are doing has a lot of merit. This league is very complicated. And to be fighting with the top six, and they have been doing it for two years now, I think it is very relevant and has a lot of merit.”
Moyes and West Ham will be hoping their preparation for the midweek tie is enough to overcome the first leg deficit on Thursday, and that the Leeds United director hasn’t sent Sevilla too many clues about what to expect.
