News
DOM 03.04.2016
Opening minute, opening goal
Real Sociedad could not have got off to a better start, opening the scoring with less than a minute on the clock in the first attacking move of the match. Asier Illarramendi swung a free-kick in from out wide and Markel Bergara headed home. Sevilla were shell shocked and the Sanchez Pizjuan fell silent.
La Real strike a second blow
After landing a damaging first punch, Eusebio's men went in for the knockout blow. Real Sociedad made the most of a set piece once again – another free-kick played into the centre of the box by Illarramendi. However, this time it was not a La Real man who got on the end of it. Grzegorz Krychowiak and Sergio Rico were on completely different wavelengths and the Polish player put the ball into his own net. Things could not get any better for La Real.
Gameiro pulls one back
With a two-goal deficit to make up, Sevilla went on the front foot. They had no other choice. And it did not take long for them to get their reward. The referee awarded a penalty for a foul on Krychowiak and Kevin Gameiro stepped up to the spot and converted. If they were going to stand any chance of staging a comeback, they needed this goal early on in the second half.
La Real stand firm with a man down
Bergara went from hero to villain in the 68th minute. The Real Sociedad player was booked for a second time and left his teammates playing with a man down. With only 10 players out on the pitch, Eusebio's men managed to ward off the onslaught from Sevilla. A brilliant Geronimo Rulli foiled Sevilla time and again as they searched for an equaliser. Unai Emery decided to bring on Steven N'Zonzi and Yevhen Konoplyanka. However, the leveller never materialised, meaning Sevilla practically bid farewell to any chance of Champions League qualification.
The Sanchez Pizjuan is finally breached
Before the kick-off, Sevilla had gone 13 consecutive games unbeaten at their home ground. Emery's understudies were not winning on the road, but they were unbeatable at the Sanchez Pizjuan, having dispatched FC Barcelona and Real Madrid there. However, they were unable to dole out the same treatment to La Real. The last side to taste victory at the stadium were RC Celta, back on 20 September.
© LALIGA - 2016