2-1: ATHLETIC'S COMEBACK CONDEMNS SEVILLA TO THIRD CONSECUTIVE LEAGUE DEFEAT

31/10/2020

Sevilla quickly put themselves in front at the San Mamés, but Athletic changed the game with their substitutions and turned around the scoreboard in the last fifteen minutes

They arrived in a tough moment and they have just handed all the pressure over to Sevilla. Athletic Club managed to get out of a bad league run by completing a comeback in their stadium against a Sevilla who started strongly but waned throughout the match. En-Nesyri gave Sevilla an early reward for a strong start, but Garitano's substitutions changed the face of the game and the home side began to dominate. The comeback condemned Sevilla to their third straight league defeat.

Sevilla started strong, making the most of an Athletic Bilbao that was under pressure. Lopetegui's team looked to be in control and was able to find space in the midfield. Jesús Navas gave Bilbao an early warning on four minutes with a cross-cum-shot that Unai Simón saved. However, five minutes later, and from the other flank, the goal would arrive. Ocampos cut the ball back and En-Nesyri was perfectly placed to meet the ball with his left foot and send the ball past Simón.

Sevilla started very strongly and made the most of it with an En-Nesyri goal

The start couldn't have gone any better for Sevilla who, after needing 23 shots to score one against Rennes, had scored with their first clear chance. The game became more closed after Sevilla scored, although Bono had the odd save to make. A chance for Bilbao came through Raúl García who sent a header wide of goal. Sevilla also had more chances before the break, but En-Nesyri did not meet Navas' cross from the right well, sending the ball wide of Simón's goal.

Sevilla started the second half strongly and could have doubled their advantage. Navas crossed well for En-Nesyri at the back post, however Iñigo Martínez was able to clear the Moroccan's header off the line. The ball fell to De Jong but the Dutch striker took too long to get his shot off and his shot was blocked. Bilbao needed to make changes and they did so on the 50 minute mark, with Unai López and Villalibre coming on. The two subs would change the face of the game. Returning to their favoured direct football, Athletic began to regain control of the match.

The game changed in the second half and Athletic were clinical with their chances

Lopetegui responded by prioritising possession and brought on Vázquez for En-Nesyri. Shortly after, he looked to further pack the midfield by brining on Gudelj and Óliver for Rakitić and Jordán. Sevilla looked to slow the game down against an Athletic that were focused on transitions. Their insistence was rewarded through a set piece, Vesga heading on a corner to the back post to the on waiting Muniain who volleyed home. Athletic became a bit sloppier after the equaliser, but De Jong was too isolated upfront to make the most of any Sevilla chance.

Garitano had one last trick up his sleeve with Sancet and the midfielder scored the winner with his first. Williams drifted out to the left wing and sent a cross that just evaded Diego Carlos and dropped perfectly onto Sancet's right foot for the midfielder to volley home the winner. It was the ultimate punishment for a Sevilla that dominated Bilbao in the first half, but who waned in the second half after Garitano's substitutions. It is now three consecutive league defeats for the team, with next week's fixture before the international break a must-win. And before that the Champions League returns to Nervión with Krasnodar visiting on Wednesday night.

GAME SUMMARY

2. ATHLETIC CLUB: Unai Simón, Capa, Yeray, Iñigo Martínez, Yuri, Dani García (Vesga, 67'), Raúl García (Villalibre, 54'), Zárraga (Unai López, 54'), Berenguer (Muniain, 67'), Morcillo (Sancet, 85') and Williams.

1. SEVILLA FC: Bono, Jesús Navas, Koundé, Diego Carlos, Acuña, Fernando (Munir, 87'), Rakitic (Óliver Torres, 68'), Joan Jordán (Gudelj, 68'), Ocampos, En-Nesyri (Franco Vázquez, 63') and De Jong (Carlos Fernández, 87').

GOALS: 0-1, 9': En-Nesyri; 1-1, 76': Muniain. 2-1, 86': Sancet.

REFEREE: Carlos del Cerro Grande. Yellows for Fernando, Koundé, Acuña, Jesús Navas, Diego Carlos, Raúl García, Iñigo Martínez, Williams and Unai López.