Match reports

1-0: FIRST-HALF GOAL SINKS SEVILLA IN THE SAN MAMÉS

14/10/2017

An isolated play allowed Athletic to find the goal against the run of play

A scrappy fixture unfolded this Saturday in the New San Mamés, where Sevilla imposed themselves from the beginning, but were unable to overturn the first half opener that turned the Nervionenes visit to Bilbao into a nightmare they couldn't wake up from. After a fantastic first half, Vesga's goal just livened the hosts, and left Berizzo's side deflated in the second.

Fortune already looked against the visitors within the first twenty minutes, where two obstacles reared their head; first, Iglesias Villanueva unwilling to give a penalty for a challenge on Lenglet by Raúl García, then an injury to N'Zonzi which forced Berizzo to sub on Krohn-Dehli early.

Sevilla were forced into a change early, with N'Zonzi subbed-off injured for Krohn-Dehli.

However, Sevilla pushed forwards enough to force Bilbao's performance out of the goalkeeper Kepa, who denied Sevilla on a number of occasions. After reaching a cute pass from Navas that neither Vázquez nor Correa could get hold of, he denied Corchia from a direct freekick that looked to be going in.

Sevilla were growing in confidence, so much so that just a minute later, found by Ben Yedder, Franco Vázquez was again denied a big opportunity by Kepa. Kepa was the star again moments later, denying a Carole shot in another clear chance for Berizzo's side.

Vesga gave the hosts the lead against the run of play

And though Ziganda's side only managed to test the goal of Rico once before with a Susaeta shot that the keeper sent for a corner, an isolated play which started with a throw-in allowed the hosts to take the lead totally against the run of play. Vesga scored barely one minute from half-time, to give Athletic Club a lead which belied Sevilla's dominance.

The hosts were boosted by the scoreline, having deflated Berizzo's side, who struggled to get back into the game. Raúl García took advantage, winning the ball back from Carole and playing a pass to Vesga who struck against the post.

Athletic's first-half goal deflated Berizzo's side just a bit too much

Berizzo looked to make changes. The Argentine boss went all guns blazing, replacing Corchia with Nolito. He replaced Correa on the right, with Navas dropping deep.

Krohn-Dehli had a shot from range, but Balenziaga - who also denied a Ben Yedder shot finding the net after Kepa was beaten - got a block on the effort. Despite everything, Sevilla FC just couldn't wake up from their nightmare in the second half, even with Muriel replacing Correa and joining a two-man strike partnership. Ben Yedder had the last chance of the game, but yet again Kepa - certainly Bilbao's best player - was there to deny.