1-1: A DRAW WITH ATLETI TO BRING PRE-SEASON TO A CLOSE

Sevilla FC brought their pre-season preparations to a close in an entertaining 1-1 draw with Atlético Madrid in San Francisco. 

After both sides had gone close on numerous occasions, Rafa Mir opened the scoring after winning the ball in opposition territory and firing past Oblak. However, Correa took full advantage of a loose ball in the area to equalise with six minutes remaining. 

Atlético began the match on the front foot and had two dangerous attacks within the first three minutes. Pedrosa managed to clear after the first attack inside the first minute, before Dmitrovic was called into action just two minutes later with a double save from Riquelme and Memphis. The ball would eventually fall to both Griezmann and Llorente, who could not find the target.

After the early flurry of chances, Sevilla gained a foothold in the game and were more in control. Suso came closest when he tested Oblak from distance, while Rakitic nearly caught the Slovenian off-guard with a free kick from the touchline which went narrowly over the bar. Between those chances, Dmitrovic was at his best to deny a Carrasco effort from the left. 

Just before half time, Koke had arguably the most clear-cut chance of the clash, firing over the bar with a miskick after Memphis had pulled it back from the byline. As for Sevilla, their main outlet had been Pedrosa, who was regularly breaking down the left flank with pace.

Rafa Mir's solo strike and Djibril Sow's debut were the highlights for Sevilla

Mendilibar made changes after the interval, with Bono between the sticks in the second half, while there were minutes for Gattoni, Manu Bueno and Rafa Mir. Djibril Sow also came on for the final half-hour to make his debut.

It was one of Mendilibar's substitutes who would break the deadlock all by himself. Rafa Mir put Savic under real pressure in a dangerous area, won the ball back and went clean through on goal. The striker made no mistake and calmly placed the ball into the bottom corner to give Sevilla the lead. 

Atlético were forced to attack, and both Carrasco and Lino fired just past the post soon after the opener. Although an Ocampos cross nearly provided Rafa Mir with a chance to double Sevilla's lead, Atlético would equalise a few minutes later, with a deflection from a cross falling kindly for Ángel Correa, who made no mistake from close range. 

Sevilla came closest to finding a late winner with three good chances late on. Sow nearly capped off a strong performance on his debut with a long-range effort, but Oblak was able to tip it wide for a corner. Another shot from the debutant was blocked and fell for Rafa Mir, who could not convert, while the last kick of the clash fell to Idrissi, but he could not keep his effort down.

The match brings the club's North American tour to a close, with two wins and one draw. The squad will now return to Sevilla and all eyes are now on the LALIGA EA Sports opening fixture, which is against Valencia CF at 21:30 on Friday.