News
JUE 14.04.2016
Sevilla FC 1-2 Athletic Club
Having chosen an auspicious time to chalk up their first away victory of the season, prevailing in the first leg of the tie in Bilbao, Unai Emery's charges took a 2-1 advantage into the return match on home turf. Even before the first whistle was blown, it was all action at the Sanchez-Pizjuan, with the atmosphere absolutely rocking and no one in any doubt as to what was at stake. After the match proper got underway, Sevilla made the early running, taking control of proceedings thanks to their energetic pressing. However, things evened out somewhat as the minutes passed. Aritz Aduriz had the first chance, while Adil Rami fired the first warning shot up the other end. Ernesto Valverde's troops had settled into their stride by this point, though, and they threatened to silence the Pizjuan faithful in the latter stages of the first half. However, they failed to take their opportunities and ultimately it was goalless at the break.
Goals were the only thing missing from the opening 45, but that was not to be the case after the restart. Athletic kept pushing and got their reward through Aduriz, whose right-footed strike broke the deadlock for the Basques. The travelling fans' celebrations proved short-lived, however, as two minutes later Kevin Gameiro made it 1-1. Vitolo released Grzegorz Krychowiak, who centred for the French forward to touch in at the back post. It was a full-blooded affair and so it came as little surprise when someone's body snapped, with Aduriz unable to continue. More bad news for Athletic, but their spirits would soon be lifted again. Beñat picked out Raul Garcia in the box and the midfielder rose high to head his side into a 2-1 lead on the night, levelling the tie on aggregate. With no more goals forthcoming, extra time was required. The tension was palpable throughout the additional 30 minutes and, although Athletic poured forward, chances went begging at both ends, meaning it would all come down to penalties. Ultimately the holders were just that little bit cooler from the spot, as Beñat's miss allowed Sevilla to claim a 5-4 shoot-out triumph and advance to the semi-finals.
Sparta Prague 2-4 Villarreal CF
Marcelino's men wasted no time at all in adding to their aggregate advantage. They pitched up in Prague 2-1 to the good thanks to Cedric Bakambu's double at El Madrigal and it was the Congolese striker who opened the scoring in the second leg at the Generali Arena, stroking home from Manu Trigueros's through ball after just five minutes. Yet the hosts did not let their heads drop despite going behind and began to boss possession, with Alphonse Areola forced to be alert to prevent the Czechs from equalising. However, just when the home side were flying, Samu Castillejo hit them with a sucker punch in the shape of an unstoppable drive from the edge of the area. Indeed, there was still time for Villarreal to grab a third before the interval as Castillejo went from scorer to creator, curling in a corner from which Bruno's deflected header found its way into the net.
The second half began just as the first had ended: with a Villarreal goal. That man Bakambu got it, well and truly putting the tie to bed in the 49th minute. Even then Sparta refused to lie down, eventually halving the deficit through Borek Dockal and Ladislav Krejci, but it was too little too late and Villarreal booked their Europa League semi-final berth with a 5-4 overall victory.
© LALIGA - 2016