The 1991-92 season was an eventful and highly anticipated one for Sevilla FC, particularly due to the arrival of one of football's greatest legends, Diego Maradona. The Argentine star’s move to Sevilla after serving a ban from football made headlines worldwide, and his presence brought immense attention and expectations to the club.
 
La Liga Performance:
Under the management of Carlos Bilardo, another Argentine and a former World Cup-winning coach, Sevilla finished the 1991-92 La Liga season in 12th place. While the team’s overall performance in the league fell short of expectations, much of the attention remained focused on Maradona’s performances and his role in the squad. Though he didn’t dominate the league as he once did during his prime, Maradona's presence on the pitch was still influential, and he provided memorable moments of skill and leadership.
Sevilla's mid-table finish in 12th place meant they didn’t qualify for European competitions, but the season is remembered more for the star power of Maradona than for the club’s results.
 
Diego Maradona’s Influence:
Maradona, who had returned to football after a 15-month ban due to a doping scandal, joined Sevilla amid great fanfare in September 1992. While his fitness and form were not at the peak level seen during his years at Napoli or Barcelona, Maradona still managed to provide flashes of his brilliance. He was central to Sevilla’s attacking play, offering creative passing, dribbling, and vision, though his contributions were more limited compared to his heyday.
During his one season with the club, Maradona made 26 appearances and scored 5 goals in La Liga. His performances were not as prolific as some fans had hoped, but he still played an important role in generating excitement around the team and filling stadiums wherever Sevilla went.
 
Key Players:
Aside from Maradona, Sevilla boasted several other important figures during the 1991-92 campaign. Davor Šuker, who joined the club in 1991, quickly became a fan favorite due to his sharp goal-scoring instincts and technical prowess. Šuker would go on to become one of Sevilla's best forwards. Manolo Jiménez, the club's veteran left-back and a symbol of Sevilla's commitment to solid defense, remained one of the team's standout players. Rafa Paz, an industrious midfielder, was also crucial in Sevilla’s efforts to remain competitive throughout the season. In attack, Francisco, a versatile forward, contributed with crucial goals and assists.
 
Copa del Rey:
Sevilla had an interesting run in the Copa del Rey during the 1991-92 season. Despite showing promise in the early rounds, they were unable to make a deep run in the competition, being eliminated before reaching the latter stages.
 
Tactical Approach:
Under Bilardo’s management, Sevilla played with an organized, yet physical approach, which reflected his emphasis on defense and tactical discipline. The focus was on controlling the pace of the game and making the most of Maradona’s creativity in the final third of the pitch. However, injuries and inconsistency plagued the team throughout the season, and Maradona’s form, while impressive at times, wasn’t enough to lift the team to higher league standings.
 
Legacy of the 1991-92 Season:
The 1991-92 season is remembered more for the arrival of Maradona than for Sevilla’s achievements on the pitch. While the team’s overall performance in La Liga was below expectations, the season is notable in the club’s history due to Maradona's presence and the global attention it brought to Sevilla.
 
Though Maradona only stayed for one season, his brief stint at Sevilla remains a unique and memorable period in both his career and the club’s history. His time in Spain, alongside Bilardo, contributed to the global recognition of Sevilla FC, making it a memorable season despite the lack of silverware.