1-1: SETBACK IN ELCHE AFTER AN EARLY RED CARD

Our four-match winning run on the road in LaLiga Santander came to an end with a 1-1 draw away at Elche.

The team started strongly and took the lead after just ten minutes, but a red card for Pape Gueye for a mistimed tackle after 18 minutes turned the match on its head, and the hosts equalised a few minutes later.

The hosts had the majority of the shots in the second half, but in reality it was a half of very few chances and both sides took a point from the MD36 fixture.

Elche's relegation was confirmed three matches ago, giving them a new-found freedom, but Mendilibar's side was comfortable in the face of this. Both sides had chances early on, with Morento firing straight at Dmitrovic and En-Nesyri going close from a Navas cross.

However, it was Sevilla who struck first. A poor clearance after an Ocampos cross was brought down by Acuña who found Gueye. A quick pass for En-Nesyri was laid off just as quickly for Lamela, who found space and rolled it into the bottom corner on the ten-minute mark.

Five minutes later, Badé had a huge chance to double the lead, but his header went agonisingly wide.

An early dismissal for Gueye changed the course of the clash

However, the team suffered a real setback three minutes later. After miscontrolling the ball, Gueye lept in for the ball, and caught Lucas Boyé with his studs after getting the ball. The referee did not need a VAR intervention to dismiss the midfielder.

Naturally, the hosts took control and equalised seven minutes later. Morente rose highest to meet a Josan cross, and the ball took a wicked deflection of the attacker's shoulder to loop over Dmitrovic. 

Lamela had the last chance of the half a few minutes later, but his effort was wide of the mark.

There were very few chances in the second half

The match was a slower affair after the interval. The hosts did not push as much as they had done in the latter stages of the first half, which gave Sevilla opportunities to push forward and find a second, but they found it difficult to do so with ten men.

Despite this, it was the visitors who arguably had the best chance of the half, with En-Nesyri inches away from stabbing home Telles' cross just before the hour mark.

As for the hosts, Ponce had their best opportunity to score in the second half, but his header went over the bar,

With a European final on the horizon, Mendilibar used his five changes in the second half, taking off players such as Fernando and Jesús Navas for Montiel and Rakitic. 

In the final few minutes, Collado went close with a header for Elche, while Rafa Mir nearly scored a winner late on but Badía beat his effort away at the near post.

The draw means we are just one point off seventh place, the qualification spot for the UEFA Europa Conference League, but this is dependent on tomorrow's match between Osasuna and seventh-placed Athletic Club.

Next up, on Saturday, is the final home match of the season against Real Madrid, who can still secure the runners-up spot this season.