Match reports

0-1: SEVILLA WITH A GREAT RESULT IN A TOUGH GAME

23/08/2018

Sevilla picked up a 1-0 win in a very difficult match against Sigma Olomouc in the Czech Republic. The home side were on top for a large part of the game, having some great chances to put Sevilla to the sword. Machín's substitutions in the second half gave Sevilla a new lease of life and a great piece of work from André Silva and Sarabia means that Sevilla can bring a great result back for the home leg when they will hope to seal their qualification to the Europa League Group Stage.

The team from the Czech Republic tried to cause Sevilla danger right from the off, both with their high-pressing when Sevilla had the ball and their quick counter-attacks. The home side were the most comfortable side during the first 45 minutes - they put their stamp on the game and had more opportunities to put themselves 1-0 up on the scoreboard.

The first chance came in the 9th minute, when a bad clearance from Muriel left the ball at Falta's feet, however he put too much on his shot. Shortly after Machín's team gifted the Czech's three headers in Sevilla's box, with Sterba's effort going over Vaclik's goal. Sevilla barely managed to cause the Czech outfit any problems, only a precise cross from Arana and a shot from Nolito which was blocked by a defender being of note.

The Czech team dominated the first half of the game and caused Sevilla a lot of problems

Sigma Olomouc had a few chances before the break as well to put themselves in front, their first came with a clever piece of work from a corner which left Houska free to shoot around the penalty spot, while the second came when Houska beat Berrocal to the ball in the box and had a 1v1 against Vaclik which he missed.

Things seemed to change at the start of the second half, when clever play from a corner left Vidal free in the box and he was close to providing an assist to his teammates. Shortly after, however, the game returned to its usual pattern. Two bits of play down the left wing put Vaclik's goal in danger again, who had to make a smart save and then force the ball behind for a corner with the help of Gnagnon.

Pablo Machín's substitutions, all three practically in unison, helped Sevilla to impose themselves on the game and have more control. Jesús Navas' first piece of action was to cut the ball back to Gonalons, whose strong shot forced the home-side's goalkeeper into his best save of the match. Minutes after, Muriel was through 1-on-1 with Buchta, however the Colombian could not put away what was the game's best chance at the time.

The changes brought Sevilla to life and they imposed themselves more on the game

Having had more of an impact on the game since the changes, and without suffering as much as they previously had done, Sevilla's moment came in the 84th minute. A wonderful pass from André Silva left Sarabia completely alone with Buchta, sending the ball into the top corner to put Sevilla 1-0 up in the wonderful Andrúv Stadion, whose fans' hopes had been deflated after their great effort.

Therefore, Sevilla will welcome Sigma Olomouc to the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán next Thursday with the best possible result given the circumstances of the game, ready to secure their qualification for the Europa League Group Stage.

SUMMARY OF THE GAME

0 - SIGMA OLOMOUC: Buchta, Sladky, Jemeica, Sterba, Veprek, Kalvach, Zahradnicek, Plsek, Houska, Falta and Nespor.

1 - SEVILLA FC: Vaclík, Gnagnon, Amadou (Sergi Gómez, 70'), Berrocal, Áleix Vidal (Jesús Navas, 69'), Banega, Gonalons, Arana, Nolito (André Silva, 65'), Sarabia and Muriel.

GOALS: 0-1 Sarabia, 84'.

OFFICIAL: Bobby Madden. Yellow cards for Sladky, Banega, Muriel and Sarabia.