Match reports

1-1: A GOOD SECOND HALF BRINGS ABOUT THE EQUALISER AT THE MENDIZORROZA

02/12/2018

An unfortunate rebound off Sergi Gómez left Calleri free out on the wing to assist Jony in the first half. In the second, with their substitutions, Sevilla improved and went on the attack, with Ben Yedder securing the draw from Sarabia's cross. Alavés could have won it with Brasanac's headed effort hitting the post

In no moment in the first half were Sevilla at ease in the Mendizorroza. There were errors in the midfield, gaps in defence and no service into André Silva and Ben Yedder, isolating them from the game. Despite this, the hosts didn't create too many chances either, with Vaclík only having to save an effort from Manu García on the half-hour mark.

Machín's team only had one chance, with Ben Yedder poking wide of Pacheco's goals after André Silva did well to win an aerial battle. It seemed that Sevilla were starting to get back into the game. However, an unfortunate rebound off Sergi Gómez left the ball to Calleri out on the wing, who put in a cross to Jony who made no mistake in finishing off from close range.

Alavés scored through Jony after an unlucky rebound off Sergi Gómez which caught the defence off guard

The manager brought Amadou on to replace Roque Mesa who had picked up a yellow card. After André Silva fired over from the edge of the box, Sevilla had two clear opportunities in succession to level the match. First Promes, who got down the right wing after André Silva's pass and struck his shot into the side-netting and a minute later, Franco Vázquez had a one-on-one with Pacheco after a pass from Ben Yedder but was foiled by the keeper.

The changes in personnel and the tactical adjustments had started to take effect for Sevilla. With Banega in his best position and Promes getting down the right-hand side, Sevilla were having their best spell in the game so far. And in the 77th minute Franco Vázquez received the ball from the backline, before carrying the ball and spreading it wide to Sarabia who got his head up to pick out Ben Yedder in the box, who finished neatly to get the equaliser for Sevilla. Now with the momentum on their side, Sevilla pushed on and André Silva had a looping header that Pacheco had to push over the bar for a corner.

After the changes in the second half, Sevilla deservedly got back into the game through Ben Yedder's goal

However, all the effort to get back into the game with Ben Yedder's goal very nearly came to nothing. In Alavés last attempt to wrestle back the three points, Brasanac had a header that struck the post and, luckily for Sevilla, bounced into Vaclík's arms instead of crossing the line. In the end, Sevilla salvaged a point at the Mendizorroza that leaves them second in the table, having been overtaken by Barcelona earlier today. Next week, Sevilla will travel to the Mestalla to face Valencia on Saturday at 16:15 CET.

MATCH SUMMARY

1. ALAVÉS: Pacheco, Laguardia, Navarro, Duarte, Aguirregabiria, Manu García, Tomás Pina, Wakaso (Brasanac, 73'), Ibai (Sobrino, 82'), Jony and Calleri (Guidetti, 90').

1. SEVILLA FC: Vaclík, Kjaer (Sarabia, 68'), Carriço, Sergi Gómez, Mercado (Promes, 57'), Escudero, Roque Mesa (Amadou, 46'), Banega, Franco Vázquez, André Silva and Ben Yedder.

GOALS: 1-0 Jony, 37'. 1-1 Ben Yedder, 77'.

REFEREES: José María Sánchez Martínez, Murcia. Yellow cards for Manu García, Roque Mesa, Sarabia, Pina, Franco Vázquez and Guidetti.