Match reports

0-1: MURIEL SWEETENS THE ALWAYS DIFFICULT RETURN TO LEAGUE COMPETITION IN GIRONA

17/09/2017

A third consecutive La Liga victory for Sevilla FC, who had to work hard to safeguard their ascent up the table. After a tricky first half, Muriel finished off a one on one with Iraizoz and Girona couldn't take advantage of a last-minute penalty

Football is not about fairness but goals. With that said, the two - justice and a goal - merged together on Sunday afternoon in Girona for a Sevilla side which managed another clean-sheet win, in circumstances very similar to those in Getafe. Following the awarding of a penalty against a fair challenge of Franco Vázquez on Mojica, Granell sent the spot-kick against the bar. Beforehand, Muriel had broken the deadlock and scored what would be the decisive goal and would keep Sevilla near the very top of the table. Lionel Carole also completed his first 90 minutes, performing well at left-back.

The absence of many of those who started against Liverpool was confirmed late Sunday by Berizzo, who only kept Sergio Rico, N'Zonzi and Banega in his side. It wasn't an easy start for Sevillistas, who saw Girona play with intensity and pressure as they had done in their first few matches. Without troubling the goal of Rico too often, Pablo Machín's side looked to break quickly, where the visitors searched for longer spells of possession, unable to link up with Muriel in the opposition half.

Girona came out with more intensity but Sevilla were the ones with the clearer chances

We had to wait until the second quarter of the match to see the Nervionense reaction, which was kick-started by a good cross from Sarabia - who was one of the most active players in the first-half - and a header from N'Zonzi which just lacked the force to trouble the goal. Not long after Muriel had a chance, who couldn't reach the through ball of Sarabia after a good pass from Ganso. The Brazilian, who popped up intermittently had a go himself on half an hour that went just passed the post. Girona reacted with a dangerous chance through Juanpe, but both sides went in goalless at half-time.

The start of the second half saw a change in attitude despite the same eleven being on the field. With a more connected Banega, the centre-midfielder took the reigns of the match despite Juanpe having the chance at his feet to make it 1-0. Muriel replied with a foul on Iraizoz and showed that the team wanted three points at all costs. The last pass was missing on a day where Ganso was less active; Berizzo opted to bring on Franco Vázquez to replace him.

Berizzo took steps in the second half to ensure three points were won

It only took the Argentine a few minutes to show his quality, crafting a perfect ball to Muriel, who was one on one with Iraizoz. Despite a somewhat awkward turn, Iraizoz couldn't cover the goal well enough, and Muriel made it 0-1. Sarabia could have killed the game off just a few minutes later, but the side was due to struggle in the last quarter of an hour. Girona piled men forward and had the ultimate opportunity to equalise when a Franco Vázquez clearance was adjudged to have made contact with the head of Mojica, Girona had an 89^th penalty and a golden chance to equalise. Luckily, Granell shot against the bar and Sevilla clung on to the 0-1 until the final whistle.

A third consecutive win in the league for the Sevillistas, who will have no time to savour their triumph, before thinking ahead to the visit of UD Las Palmas to Nervión this Wednesday at 22:00pm.

MATCH SUMMARY

0. GIRONA FC: Iraizoz, Bernardo, Muniesa, Juanpe, Aday, Mojica, Pere Pons (Kayode, minute 79), Granell, Borja García, Stuani (Aleix García, minute 66) and Portu (Olunga, minute 79).

1. SEVILLA FC: Sergio Rico; Corchia, Carriço, Lenglet, Carole; N'Zonzi, Banega, Ganso (‘Mudo’ Vázquez, minute 63); Walter Montoya (Mercado, minute 76), Luis Muriel and Sarabia (Kronh-Dehli, minute 86).

GOALS: 0-1, minute 68: Luis Muriel.

OFFICIALS: De Burgos Bengoetxea, Basque Country. Yellows for N’Zonzi, Juanpe, Corchia, Bernardo, Carriço and ‘Mudo’ Vázquez.