Ocampos scores the winner against Osasuna

1-0: SEVILLA FC END THE BAD RUN IN LA LIGA WITH THREE ESSENTIAL POINTS AGAINST CA OSASUNA

07/11/2020
There wasn't much football on show and the physical strains the fixture list has put the team under were clear to see. However, Sevilla FC found the way to get the three points and put an end to three consecutive defeats

Sevilla FC had to win today. It did not matter how, and the team managed to secure all three points up for grabs today against CA Osasuna. Osasuna remained in the game at all times and really challenged the fatigued Sevilla team, with the match being decided by a penalty that Lucas Ocampos won and converted. His compatriot Marcos Acuña and team captain Jesús Navas were taken off injured and the next hours will tell whether or not they will be able to travel with their international teams this weekend. 

Sevilla started the game full of energy and looked to create chances on Herrera's goal; however, unlike Wednesday's match against Krasnodar, Osasuna were more than willing to reciprocate and contributed to a very even game at the start. Lopetegui's men opted for a more direct game, with the full-backs, Jordán and Óliver looking to play in the three forwards up front. Ocampos, En-Nesyri and Carlos Fernández were fluid in their positioning and rotated throughout. En-Nesyri was the first player to take a shot after Fernández set him up, however the Moroccan fired wide.

The injured Acuña had to make way for Escudero in the first half

Although the hosts had more of the ball, Osasuna were not a mere spectator and in fact they had two of the best chances in the first half. The closest effort was a header from Budimir after a pass from Jony, but his effort grazed the post. Jony would then have a chance of his own, firing over the bar after the ball fell to him on the edge of the area. There were two substitutions in the first half, with Osasuna midfielder Torró making way after just a quarter of an hour, before Acuña was replaced by Sergio Escudero just before the break. As the half-time whistle approached, Sevilla looked more wilful, but were unable to find any spaces in the opposition's half. 

Jesús Navas was unable to continue after the interval, who was suffering from a knock as early as the pre-match warm-up. Rakitic replaced the captain, forcing Lopetegui to change his formation, with Fernando dropping between the two centre halves, with Escudero and Ocampos playing on the left and right wings respectively. Within 15 minutes of the change, Ocampos had won a penalty on the right, with Moncayola clearly bringing down the Argentine in the area. The winger dusted himself down before taking the penalty. Herrera guessed correctly and saved low to his right, but, with both feet a yard off the line, Martínez Munuera ordered the penalty to be retaken. Second time lucky for Ocampos, who drilled his second effort straight down the middle to give the Nervionenses a 1-0 lead. Sevilla continued to control proceedings, but Arrasate's substitutions drove the visitors forward. Lopetegui responded by introducing De Jong in place of Carlos Fernández.

Osasuna did unsettle the hosts, but this was more down to their efforts as opposed to any chances in particular. Two more substitutions meant that they too moved to three at the back, and Adrián López playing up front. Budimir had one final chance for the away side, but Diego Carlos was able to divert his effort away from danger. The only option was to dig deep and stay strong at the back late on, and the Blanquirrojos did so. All in all, a vital win for Sevilla, who have ended their unusual run of three consecutive league defeats. The side have picked up six points this week, with three in Europe steering the side towards the last 16 of the Champions League, and three in the league helping the side turn around their recent form. However, the Nervionenses will have to wait until after the international break to continue doing so, and it remains to be seen what happened to both Navas and Acuña during this evening's victory. 

MATCH SUMMARY

1. SEVILLA FC: Bono, Jesús Navas (Rakitic, 46'), Koundé, Diego Carlos, Acuña (Escudero, 41'), Fernando, Joan Jordán (Gudelj, 89'), Óliver Torres, Ocampos, En-Nesyri (Franco Vázquez, 89') and Carlos Fernández (De Jong, 68').

0. CA OSASUNA: Herrera, Roncaglia, Unai García (Nacho Vidal, 67'), David García (Roberto Torres, 67'), Juan Cruz (Iñigo Pérez, 82'), Torró (Oier, 16'), Moncayola, Rubén García, Jony, Enric Gallego (Adrián López, 83') and Budimir.

GOALS: 1-0, 59': Ocampos pen. 

REFEREE: Juan Martínez Munuera, from Valencia. Yellow cards for Unai García, Oier, David García, Rakitic and Fernando.