Match reports

5-1: A BLACK AFTERNOON AGAINST A SUPERIOR EIBAR

03/02/2018
A terrible defeat for Sevilla FC in Ipurua in a match that saw Vincenzo Montella make rotations for the first time and fall to a heavy loss. A penalty from Pablo Sarabia was the only consolation for the visitors, who fell behind after just 40 seconds of play

A step backwards for Sevilla FC this Saturday in Irupúa, for morale and in footballing terms. Rotations that would give debuts to Layún, Roque Mesa and Sandro failed and the Nervionenses were outplayed in every department from the first minute. The Basque side put themselves 3-1 up by half-time and piled more misery when play resumed, making it 5-1 before the final whistle was blown. A tough blow before the Copa del Rey on Wednesday. 

A nightmare day would have a nightmare start. After just 38 seconds of play Sevilla were already behind after Kike García gave the hosts a dream start. Breaking through on the left wing, he would find himself one on one with Sergio Rico from a tight angle. His rocket effort clipped the underside of the bar and put Eibar ahead. Eibar smelt blood from a disjointed Sevilla side and wouldn't take long to do even more damage. A beautiful cross would find the right foot of Orellana just after 15 minutes, and Eibar would have their second. 

The hosts started fantastically and made it count with early goals

Looking for a reply, Sevilla would be given a glimmer of hope on twenty minutes. Sandro would find some space in the box and see a pass blocked by the hand of Dani García to give the Nervionenses a penalty. Pablo Sarabia stepped up and slotted home well to claw the deficit back to one. But just when it looked like Sevilla could get back on level terms, Eibar put a dent in their hopes again. 

After Sergio Rico made a stunning save to keep Sevilla in the game, Eibar would go on to get a third through a set-piece - a corner converted on the 31st minute. Ramis would lose Lenglet in the box and head past the outstretched arm of the Sevilla keeper and Sevilla had a mountain to climb once more. In hindsight the game was over on half an hour, with the Basque side stronger, quicker and sharper in every area. Ben Yedder would have one half-chance through a glancing header that was well saved but as the first-half came to a close, Sevilla looked down and out. 

Eibar didn't get complacent in the second-half and added two more

Unfortunately Eibar wanted more and played almost the entire second-half in Sevilla's half. Though they had less bite because they didn't need it, the Basques were in control and comfortable. A poor pass from Lenglet to Pareja would be the mistake that would give the hosts their fourth - Orellana alert enough to take advantage of a loose ball and slot past Rico. The final nail in the coffin would come through a Arbilla free-kick six minutes from time. 

A nightmare for Montella's side in Eibar which could put Sevilla out of the European places if Celta can win in the Mendizorroza. The league will have to wait. It's now time to focus on Wednesday's Copa del Rey semi-final and hope to get something positive to put memories of a brutal defeat in the past.