Match reports

0-0: THE POINTS ARE SHARED IN VITORIA

04/03/2022

Bono made a key save from Rioja in the first half, while Munir had a gilt-edged chance in the 88th minute

The points were shared in Vitoria on Friday evening in the Matchday 27 fixture between Deportivo Alavés and Sevilla. Both sides had clear-cut chances to break the deadlock, but the match ended goalless. The hosts had the better of the first half, with Bono called upon to deny Rioja's powerful effort, while Sevilla's chances came just before the interval. Munir had a golden chance to score a late winner in the 88th minute, but could not convert after Koundé's solo move. The point means Sevilla FC now have 55 points, and remain second.

The first half saw both sides create chances, but it would be fair to say that Deportivo Alavés had the better of the half and had the better opportunities. The hosts came out all guns blazing straight away, and had the ball in the box within a minute, but Koundé was able to clear before Joselu could shoot. After a quarter of an hour, Bono pulled off a top save to deny Luis Rioja's powerful shot. Between those two opportunities, Sevilla had the ball in the back of the net, but Delaney's shot deflected off the offside En-Nesyri and the goal was disallowed.

Ocampos and Gudelj went close in the first half

As the Basque side continued to dominate, the visitors began to get more of a foothold at Mendizorroza and began to create chances of their own. Good interplay on the right flank by Jesús Navas and Tecatito created an opening for Rakitic on the edge of the area, but his effort did not trouble Pacheco. Then, Nemanja Gudelj, on his 100th appearance for the club, tried his luck from the edge of the area, but his effort went just wide. The best chance of the half for the visitors came just before the interval. Lucas Ocampos took the ball down brilliantly and got the beating of the defender, but his shot went narrowly wide of the top corner.

Munir had a huge opportunity to score a late winner, but he could not convert

The intensity of the first half continued after the break, with both sides looking to break the deadlock. The first chance went for the hosts, but it was Ocampos who again had a big chance to give Sevilla the lead. He got the ball after good work from Tecatito on the right, but he couldn't find the target with his effort with the outside of his foot. Bono was then called upon to make another crucial block. Pere Pons went clean through on goal, but the Moroccan keeper was equal to the task and pushed his shot away.

The match slowly began to calm down, with both sides fully aware that any mistake could be punished, and they began to tire after an intense match. Both coaches made changes. Once again, Sevilla had to make an enforced change due to injury, Acuña this time, who went off in the 82nd minute. However, the best chance of the game was to come six minutes later. The team went forward with a superb individual move by Koundé on the right, and his pass found Munir on the edge of the six-yard box. Unfortunately, his weak shot could not beat Pacheco. The draw means Sevilla are now on 55 points in second place.

MATCH SUMMARY

0. DPTVO ALAVÉS: Pacheco, Tenaglia, Laguardia, Lejeune, Duarte, Escalante, Moya, Pons (Manu García, 71'), Édgar (Jason, 77'), Rioja and Joselu.

0. SEVILLA FC: Bono, Jesús Navas, Koundé, Gudelj, Acuña (Augustinsson, 82'), Delaney, Jordán (Ó. Torres, 57'), Rakitic, Tecatito (Munir, 82'), Ocampos (Luismi, 78') and En-Nesyri (Rafa Mir, 57').

GOALS: None

REFEREE: Alberola Rojas. Yellow cards for Jordán, Lejeune, Duarte and Pons.