Ocampos and De Jong celebrate the striker's goal

1-0: THREE POINTS AFTER COMPLETE DOMINATION

28/10/2020
De Jong's goal in the second half gave Sevilla FC the three points against Stade Rennais FC in a game that the Nervionenses completely dominated, despite only having one goal to show for it

A vital win for Sevilla FC tonight against Stade Rennais FC in Champions League Group E. De Jong's goal was enough to bring Sevilla to four points in the table, although Julen Lopetegui's team could have scored many more, with over twenty shots on Gomis' goal, including two strikes which thundered against the bar.

Sevilla FC stared the game with purpose and went for the jugular, bombarding Rennes' box and Gomis' goal but, inexplicably, they were unable to open the scoring with any of the excellent chances they had in the first half an hour, each one clearer than the last. Munir struck a thundering volley against the bar following a cross from Ocampos, before the Argentine struck the ball against Gomis' body from Acuña's pass. Diego Carlos was denied by the Senegalese goalkeeper and Koundé had an effort cleared off the line. Not one of these glorious chances could put the team in front, with Lopetegui's men in complete control. The team would inexplicably head into half time with the score at 0-0.

Sevilla FC had four clear opportunities in the first half, and started off the second in the same vein

The second half started the same way the first had ended, with the Nervionenses stationed around Rennes' box. The pressure would eventually tell, and the deadlock was finally broken. Acuña broke down the left, as he had been doing all game, before putting in a spectacular cross to Luuk de Jong, who made no mistake with his first-time strike. The Dutch striker would force Gomis into a great save minutes later to deny the game getting further away from the French side.

Stade Rennais had their first chance through Martin, but Bono had no problem saving the long-range strike. Ocampos had a chance straight after to end the game, sending a header centimetres wide of Gomis' left post after a great run from Jesús Navas down the right. It was then Jordán's turn, as the midfielder dribbled through the centre of the park and struck the bar with a thunderous strike, with the Senegalese goalkeeper completely beaten. 

Jordán's effort was the second shot to hit the crossbar, after Munir's volley in the first half

The minutes went by and Rennes were unable to create any chances to sneak a draw. Just before the final whistle, En-Nesyri had a shot denied by Gomis, rounding off a spectacular game for the Senegalese player. Sevilla FC welcome FC Krasnodar to Seville next week, with the opportunity to move six points ahead of the Russians who currently have one point.

GAME SUMMARY

1. SEVILLA FC: Bono, Jesús Navas, Koundé, Diego Carlos, Acuña, Fernando, Jordán (Gudelj, 88'), Óliver Torres (Rakitic, 75'), Ocampos, Munir (Franco Vázquez, 84') and De Jong (En-Nesyri, 84').

0. STADE RENNAIS FC: Gomis, Traoré, Da Silva, Rugani (Aguerd, 16'), Soppy (Dalbert, 76'), Martin, Grenier, Bourigeaud (Lea Silki, 48'), Doku, Terrier and Guirassy

GOALS: 1-0 De Jong, 55'. 

REFEREE: Cuneyt Çakir, Turkey. Yellows for Óliver Torres, Acuña, Lea Silki, Martin and Da Silva.