3-0: THE WIN TO SECURE EUROPEAN FOOTBALL AFTER CHRISTMAS

Sevilla got a vital 3-0 win in the Champions League to guarantee the return of European football to the city in the New Year and get the first win at home this season. It was far from a straightforward game, as, in the first half and even when a goal down, Copenhagen came close to scoring their first goal of the competition. 

Dmitrovic chipped in with some vital saves and the woodwork came to the rescue on more than one occasion to keep the Danish side at bay. Things were settled with goals from En-Nesyri just after the hour mark, a trademark Isco strike and a tap-in during the closing stages by Montiel, who got to a rebound before anyone else to put the game beyond doubt.

Sevilla are mathematically assured of third place and second place could go all the way to the last matchday, depending on what Dortmund do tonight at home to Manchester City. 

The Danish side’s coach made it clear that a draw was by no means a bad result in Seville. And in fact, Copenhagen came out expecting Sevilla to take risks, without losing position and waiting for space to try to pounce on the counter-attack. Sampaoli's side were more demanding, knowing that anything less than three points would put a third-place finish out of reach.

It took just a minute for Papu Gomez to test goalkeeper Grabara with a shot that wasn’t far away after a good run from Isco. A declaration of intent was confirmed shortly afterwards when it was Suso who tested the Polish goalkeeper.

After that double chance, Sevilla lost some of their momentum, suffering a lot from static play in the creative area. In that situation, after Suso tried again from the edge of the area, Copenhagen had the clearest chance of the first half.

Sevilla were unable to dominate in an even first 45 minutes

A good tackle in midfield by the visitors and a quick transition saw the Icelandic youngster Haraldsson test Dmitrovic with a shot just inside the left-hand post. Fortunately, the Serbian goalkeeper was well-positioned and responded by turning the shot behind for a corner and ending the danger. There was plenty of time left in the first period, but Sevilla struggled to impose themselves and rarely troubled Grabara again.

It was Suso again, with ten minutes to go before half-time, who had a chance with a low shot that the Copenhagen keeper responded to perfectly. Sevilla tried to exploit the wings, especially on the right, trying to generate attacks and dangerous crosses, but the game was goalless at the break.

Isco scored the goal of the night, his first as a Sevillista, and was named POTM

After the interval, Sampaoli decided to introduce En-Nesyri, replacing Dolberg. However, despite the attacking change, it was the visitors who came closest, as Clem struck the post after a chance from a corner. 

It was then our turn to go closest to breaking a deadlock, as En-Nesyri brought down a pass from Dmitrovic and found Isco, who saw his effort denied by Grabara. The clash became a real end-to-end affair, with Dmitrovic being called into action when Haraldsson went clean through, but the Serb was able to deny him.

After Lamela's introduction, it was another of Sampaoli's substitutes that finally scored the opener. Papu's cross from the left found En-Nesyri, who got enough on the ball to send it past the keeper and break the deadlock. 

As things appeared to be getting better, En-Nesyri had to be withdrawn due to a muscle injury, which meant that Rafa Mir came on. Although the visitors began to tire late on, they came so very close to an equaliser, but Diks' header cannoned off the crossbar, the second time they had hit the woodwork in the match. 

The Danes would be punished for failing to find the equaliser. Isco put the game beyond all doubt with his first goal for the club, bending an effort from outside the area into the top corner. Four minutes later, Lamela's strike was well-saved by the keeper, but Montiel reacted quickest and added a third in stoppage time. 

A much-needed first home win this season, and the UCL win that was required to secure at least a third-placed finish in the UCL Group Stage. However, attentions quickly turn to our next league clash, at home to Rayo Vallecano on Saturday.