Match reports

1-1: A WELL-EARNED POINT IN A COMPETITIVE GAME

06/01/2019

Sevilla FC and Atlético de Madrid played out a superb 1-1 draw on this King's Day. Ben Yedder and Griezmann did not disappoint and scored the game's two goals at the end of the first half.

The match between the two title challengers lived up to expectations and showed that Sevilla FC is at the level of those challenging for the league. The winning streak at home comes to an end, with the figure ending at ten, but Sevilla fought to the last minute to win back second place from Atlético who made most of their best chance to level after a first half dominated by Sevilla. Simeone's side improved in the second half, but Sevilla still had chances to get the second but they could not make the most of them. In the end, they had to settle for a draw to start the year which keeps second place two points away.

A high-intensity game was expected and Sevilla took charge of it right from the off. They put a lot of pressure on Atlético and played the game in their half, forcing the Madrid side to drop back and defend, and when they won the ball back they struggled to mount a counterattack. Sevilla's first attack on goal was thanks to a cross from Navas which could have well resulted in a penalty for a foul on André Silva, but VAR did not review it. Shortly after, around the 15-minute mark, Roque Mesa fired in a fierce shot which went over after another cross from Navas from the right. Sevilla were on top, although Atlético managed to impose themselves on the game a bit more without causing too much danger.

Sevilla came out full of determination and managed to get the goal after a good first half

Griezmann's first shot was saved without any problems by a well-positioned Vaclík. Sevilla were full of energy and the fans noticed it, motivating them even more. Navas, who showed no signs of the injuries that had sidelined him during the week, went off on a mazy run which ended in another dangerous cross and a shot from Escudero which went over. The first goal was coming and almost came with an incredible shot from André Silva which Oblak managed to tip away for a corner. From the same corner, the ball came to Ben Yedder who put it away and sent Nervión into raptures. A second could have come immediately after, after Roque Mesa won the ball and played it to Silva who pushed it onto Navas, but Oblak came out on top.

And when everything seemed to point to Sevilla going into the break one up, a dangerous foul conceded on the edge of the box which allowed Griezmann to fire home. Strangely, despite the two minutes that it took between the foul and play resuming, Mateu Lahoz called for half-time with no injury time added. Unlike other times, the break did not help Sevilla and they were less energetic in the second half. At the start of the half, Saúl had a dangerous shot saved by Saúl, although Sarabia responded with a shot against Oblak's post. Atlético were on the up but they did not go completely for the second goal, with Vaclík saving a header from Savic.

The second half was less energetic but Machín's team read the game and kept Atlético out

Simeone put on Vitolo to liven up his team and Sevilla reacted with a shot from Ben Yedder which brushed past the post. The decisive final minutes came and Sevilla looked the most dangerous, but the point was not secure. Griezmann found himself one-on-one but Vaclík stood firm and saved. The final minutes were lively and one of the key figures of the match, Gnagnon, added a great left-footed shot to his superb defensive performance which could have made it 2-1. Unfortunately, the French defender ended up injured and was replaced by Amadou, before Bryan Gil came on to make his debut in injury time.

The point does not bring the team up to second place, but it shows their level which has not dropped since their visit to the Camp Nou on 20 October. Now the team will have to manage the tricky task of three consecutive games against Athletic Club. Franco Vázquez will miss the first of them through suspension, while Carriço will miss the league game as he picked up his fifth booking of the season this evening.

GAME SUMMARY

1. SEVILLA FC:: Vaclík, Gnagnon (Amadou, 90'), Carriço, Sergi Gómez, Jesús Navas, Sarabia (Promes, 79'), Banega, Roque Mesa, Escudero, Ben Yedder (Bryan Gil, 90+3') and André Silva.

1. ATLÉTICO MADRID: Oblak, Juanfran, Savic, Godín, Saúl, Koke, Thomas, Rodrigo, Lemar (Thomas, 60'), Griezmann and Correa (Montero, 79').

GOALS: 1-0, 37': Ben Yedder; 1-1, 45': Griezmann.

OFFICIALS: Antonio Mateu Lahoz. Yellows for Correa, Saúl, Griezmann, Rodrigo, Godín, Thomas, Savic, Jesús Navas, Sarabia, Banega, André Silva and Carriço.