Match reports

2-0: SEVILLA FIND THEIR WAY THROUGH ONCE AGAIN IN A NEW DISPLAY OF DEFENSIVE SOLIDITY

30/09/2017

Seven matches between international breaks and five victories - as well as one draw - for Sevilla FC. On a hot afternoon in Nervión, Eduardo Berizzo's side showed their superiority again, in a match which was finished off quickly. Banega from the penalty spot and Muriel, barely two minutes later, sealed a victory that allowed the Nervionenses to head to the international break safe in the Champions League spots

The heat wasn't too much of an obstacle this afternoon for Sevilla FC, who managed to pick up three points at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán in a match which made the side's good defensive form clear. It's the fourth consecutive match Sevilla have played in Nervión without conceding. Though it might have been congested going forward at times, a penalty won by Correa and dispatched by Banega broke the deadlock. Just moments later - one minute after Banega's opener - Muriel secured the win against a Málaga side who barely threatened the Sevilla goal.

The dizzying football Berizzo had asked for on Friday afternoon only took 30 seconds to rear its head, when Jesús Navas fired over. The very clear declaration of intention was followed up with long spells of Sevilla possession, with Málaga barely threatening David Soria's goal (the keeper having made his return following an injury picked up in the season-opener against Espanyol). Muriel represented another change to the starting line-up, and had his first chance on quarter of an hour. The Colombian was only able to find the side-netting.

Muriel and Mercado had the biggest chances in a first-half which saw next to no work for David Soria

Sevilla looked dangerous but seemed to keep finding the offside flag. Dominating but failing to create too much danger, the home side came close midway through the first-half when Pizarro headed just over from a corner. A chance for Mercado - perhaps the best performer of the back-line - challenged Roberto's goal once again, after a 44th minute effort from Mula was put behind for a corner by David Soria.

There was a different start to the second half, with Málaga less grouped together and looking for spaces on the counter. However, the Nervionenses' back-line was on top form, preventing David Soria from having to do practically any work at all. Ten minutes after the restart Sevilla had a chance to break the deadlock on the counter, but a spectacular run from Correa came to nothing, with the Argentinian unable to see the overlapping run from Escudero.

A clear penalty on Correa opened the path to the fourth consecutive win for Sevilla in Nervión

Though Sevilla deserved more, the game seemed tight until a moment of quality opened it up. A pass from Navas to Krohn-Dehli opened up the defense so Correa could find himself with space in the area, eventually brought down by Rosales. Without Ben Yedder, Banega, who had just been brought on, stepped up and made no mistake to put the hosts 1-0 ahead. A spectacular counter-attack through Muriel just one minute later allowed the Columbian to make a precise finish underneath Roberto. A nail in the coffin of a match which was finished off 20 minutes from time.

Berizzo gave minutes to Nolito and N'Zonzi in a match now in the hands of a Sevilla side which had given Málaga no chance of finding anything positive. With three points Sevilla FC return to second place - waiting to see what Atlético can do in Leganés. With two weeks without team competition - barring internationals - it's now time for Berizzo's side to recharge their batteries before their trip to Bilbao on October the 14^th.

MATCH SUMMARY

2. SEVILLA FC: David Soria, Mercado, Kjaer, Lenglet, Escudero, Pizarro, Krohn-Dehli (N’Zonzi, 84), ‘Mudo’ Vázquez (Banega, 57), Jesús Navas, ‘Tucu’ Correa (Nolito, 69) y Luis Muriel.

0. MÁLAGA CF: Roberto, Rosales, Miguel Torres, Baysse, Ricca (Juanpi, 24), Rolón (Peñaranda, 73), Recio, Mula (Keko, 75), Juankar, Adrián y Diego Rolan.

GOALS: 1-0, minute 68: Banega, penalty. 2-0, minute 70: Luis Muriel.

REFEREE: Trujillo Suárez. Yellow cards for Rolón, Mercado and Kjaer.