DEFEAT TO START PRE-SEASON AGAINST ORLANDO PIRATES (2-0)

We suffered a 2-0 defeat at the Estadio Jesús Navas in our pre-season games against Orlando Pirates. In his first game as head coach García Pimientia named a youthful starting eleven featuring a number of academy players. Despite dominating possession from start to finish, Sevilla FC saw Orlando Pirates capitalise on their chances to take the win. 

In the first half, the team pressed high up the pitch in a bid  to disrupt the South African side. The first chance of the game fell to Orlando Pirates with Monnapule Saleng having an opportunity to open the scoring in a one-on-one against Nyland, only for the ball to come off the woodwork. The response was good as we started to direct play down the right flank where Ejuke was involved, constantly trying to penetrate the opponent's area with the ball.

Suso and Pedro Ortíz went close to equalising in the first half 

From a set piece, Suso surprised everyone with a long-range shot that went just wide of the visitors' goal. Miguel Timm then put his team ahead with a backheel strike from a corner, catching the defense off guard at the near post. We tried to respond through Ejuke, whose effort was ruled offside as the winger hit the crossbar with a great strike. Pedro Ortíz and Suso both attempted to equalize before halftime, with Ortíz's shot going over the bar and Suso's brilliant individual play failing to find the net.

With a completely changed lineup for the second half, García Pimienta's side looked to turn the game around. The second half was more fragmented and had fewer dangerous chances. Djibril Sow had a good opportunity to equalise after stealing the ball in the opponent's half, but his shot from the edge of the box went wide. Pushing all their players into the South African half, García Pimienta's side pushed up offensively efforts but struggled to create clear-cut chances. Kabelo Dlamini then sealed the victory with an excellent curling strike from distance into the top corner, leaving Dmitrovic. As the clock ticked into added time Lucas Ocampos came close to reducing the deficit but was denied by a brilliant save from Melusi Buthelezi. 

GAME DETAILS 

0. SEVILLA FC: First half XI: Nyland, José Ángel, Ramón Martínez, Kike Salas, Hormigo, Pedro Ortíz, Rivera, Collado, Ejuke, Suso y Mateo. Second half XI: Dmitrovic, Darío, Castrín, Nianzou, Pedrosa, Nico Guillén, Sow, Manu Bueno, Ocampos, Idumbo and Isaac Romero. 

2. ORLANDO PIRATES: Chaine, Ndah, Sesane, Lebitso, Hotto, Timm, Mbatah, Saleng, Kimvuidi, Mofekeng y Mabasa. Subs: Buthelezi, Sibisi, Mthethwa, Monyane, Madalene, Baloni, Ndlondlo, Gilberto, Dlamini, Makgopa and Moleleki.

GOALS: 0-1 Timm,20'. 0-2 Lamini, 82'.

REFEREE: José Antonio Palomares. Yellow cards for Timm and Sow.