Matías Almeyda
The intensity-driven architect of high-pressing 4-4-2 diamonds, commands respect for his gritty revivals.
Matías Jesús Almeyda, born on December 21, 1973, in Azul, Argentina, has built a coaching career defined by resilient turnarounds and trophy hauls in diverse leagues, often elevating underperforming sides through disciplined structures. A former defensive midfielder with a storied playing career—including stints at River Plate, Sevilla FC (1996-1997), Lazio, Parma, Inter Milan, and Brescia, where he won titles like the UEFA Cup and Serie A—Almeyda represented Argentina 35 times, including at the 1998 and 2002 World Cups. Retiring in 2011 after a brief return to River Plate, he immediately transitioned to management, starting at River Plate where he secured promotion from the second division in 2012 despite financial chaos. Subsequent roles included Banfield (promotion in 2014), Chivas Guadalajara (winning the CONCACAF Champions League in 2018, plus domestic cups), San Jose Earthquakes in MLS (2019-2022, reaching playoffs in 2020), and AEK Athens (2022-2025, clinching the Greek Super League and Cup double in 2022/23, followed by a league title in 2023/24). Appointed Sevilla FC's manager on June 16, 2025, on a three-year deal starting July 1, he became their eighth coach in three years, tasked with stabilizing a club that narrowly escaped relegation in 2024/25, finishing one point above the drop zone. For Olympique de Marseille (OM), Almeyda's profile is pertinent as a pre-season adversary in the August 2, 2025, friendly; his history of quick integrations and underdog successes evokes a professional jealousy, hinting at what OM might achieve with similar tactical grit under Roberto De Zerbi, though Marseille's greater resources and Ligue 1 ambitions underscore a competitive hierarchy where Sevilla represents a measured challenge rather than a peer threat.
Almeyda's tactical philosophy revolves around a preferred 4-4-2 diamond formation, emphasizing high pressing, compact defensive lines, and rapid transitions to exploit spaces, influenced by his playing days under coaches like Sven-Göran Eriksson and his own experiences in high-stakes environments. This approach prioritizes intensity and collective effort, often incorporating aggressive midfield pressing and wide overloads to disrupt opponents, as seen at AEK Athens where his teams averaged high possession recovery rates and ranked top in league goals. Key innovations include his adaptability to squad limitations—using versatile midfielders for fluidity and set-piece efficiency—which propelled Chivas to continental glory and AEK to domestic dominance. Successes, such as the 2018 CONCACAF triumph and Greek double, are acknowledged as pragmatic achievements in constrained settings, without overcelebrating; they reflect efficient management of modest budgets, but often rely on motivational leadership over revolutionary tactics, as evidenced by mixed MLS results with San Jose. For OM, this setup poses strategic challenges in friendlies: Almeyda's pressing could pressure Marseille's buildup, necessitating quick, vertical passing and off-ball runs to bypass the diamond's core. Analytically, it implies OM should counter with high-tempo attacks targeting transitional vulnerabilities, while supporters might feel a subtle envy—Almeyda's knack for instilling resilience mirrors potential pathways for OM's own squad cohesion, yet Marseille's superior talent depth allows for confident exploitation without undue concern.
In assessing Almeyda's current effectiveness, he boasts a career points-per-match average around 1.6 across over 500 games, with nine trophies in 14 years, proving his mettle in revival projects like Sevilla's post-relegation scare rebuild. At AEK, he delivered consistent top finishes, including a 2024/25 Europa League group stage run, but departures from roles like San Jose amid tactical stagnation highlight limitations in sustaining elite performance without star quality. The threat level to OM in a low-stakes friendly is moderate; Sevilla under Almeyda may exhibit early-season cohesion, but financial constraints and squad turnover—potentially losing assets like Loïc Bade—expose frailties to Marseille's pace and creativity. Learning opportunities for OM include adopting his pressing intensity to refine De Zerbi's possession game, offering insights into motivational tactics for youth integration and budget efficiency that could bolster Ligue 1 preparations. For OM supporters, this encounter provides a platform to assert superiority—dismissing Sevilla as a tactical warm-up while appreciating Almeyda's honest quality without glorification—reinforcing confidence in Marseille's trajectory. Ultimately, Almeyda's path exemplifies strategic resilience in lesser competitions, but it affirms OM's edge: With deeper infrastructure, Marseille can extend grudging respect, outmaneuvering such coaches while aspiring to their efficiency in targeted areas.