0-0: A BACK-AND-FORTH GAME SEES POINTS SHARED WITH REAL SOCIEDAD

Everyone wanted to get back to winning ways after Thursday's elimination from the Europa League, but we could just get a point this Sunday evening against a tough Real Sociedad, who had chances to win the match were it not for Dmitrović and some lacklustre finishing. Bono, who was in the starting eleven, had to pull out during the warm up and was replaced by Marko. Although we wanted more than a point to cement ourselves in second place, the point is positive on an evening that all three could have gotten away from us and we keep our unbeaten record at home.

On a rainy day in Seville, the game was eventful with Real Sociedad attacking from the off. They looked to move the ball forward to worry Dmitrović in goal, while they sat high in defence to deny Sevilla space on the pitch. Despite this, a shot from distance that Marko pushed wide was the only danger created in this unusual start to the game. Sevilla began to gain a foothold in the game and, while they did not dominate as is usual, the game did move in their favour as they found spaces on the counter. The game became frenetic between both goals but, strangely, there were few chances to show for all the excitement.

The rain which marked the first half disappeared after half time

Sevilla fans would have to wait half an hour until their team's first shot which came from Martial, however it went wayward. Shortly after, Sociedad would reply with their clearest chance of the first half. After a ricochet in the box, Sorloth fired in a shot with Dmitrović beaten. However Porto, who had ended up on the floor, ended up blocking the ball with Sociedad convinced they had opened the scoring. Sevilla were on top come the end of the first half with a series of corners.

Sevilla got the second half underway with a much more determined outlook as they brought on Jordán for Munir. Sevilla were able to keep a lid on the attacking flow of the team from the Basque country and started to link up more and show a bit more attacking prowess. With 25 minutes of the second half played, and after a well-worked attack, Navas put in a cross to the back post only for a Sociedad defender to send the ball out for a corner and away from the reach of an oncoming Martial. It was to be the Frenchman's last action of the game as he was subbed off for En-Nesyri. Dmitrovic was called into action when his acrobatics saw off the danger from a cross sent in from a far out free-kick. Augustinsson's rebound, towards his own goal, went over the crossbar. Rakitic and a well-applauded Lamela, on his return after four months out, were the next to come off the bench for the exiting Tecatito and Óliver, respectively.                                                                                          

Lamela was back on the pitch after his four-month shoulder injury had kept him sidelined                                                                                          

Real Sociedad took the game by the horns and had two clear chances at the half way point of the second half. Firstly with a header from Portu that hit the post and soon after Silva's shot again called Dmitrovic into action. Real were starting to find spaces and again scared the Sevilla back line with fifteen minutes to go as this time Silva was denied by the crossbar. Januzaj also went close with his hard-hitting shot that resulted in another Sociedad corner. Sevilla was in need of a response and that was provided with Lamela's mazy run from the right and eventual shot that was a touch away from finding the bottom corner. As is usual, Sevilla were pushing hard to find that illusive goal, but unfortunately it was one of those days were the goal just wouldn't come. Montiel, the last to come on from the bench, conjured up two clear-cut chances with his wide play but neither of them fruited with a definitive shot on goal.      

The points are shared, which logically, isn't what the team set out to do when at home. However, it has to be looked as a glass half full situation in a match where Lopetegui's boys left everything they could out on the pitch and where Real Sociedad also enjoyed their fair share of the chances created. It's now time to reset in what will be the last international break of the season. Furthermore, the main objective now is to recover as many of the players as possible in preparation for the next game, which will be a trip to the Camp Nou in two weeks time, against our closest challengers to date for second spot in the league.

GAME SUMMARY

0. SEVILLA FC: Dmitrovic, Jesús Navas, Gudelj, Koundé, Augustinsson, Óliver Torres (Rakitic, 67'), Delaney (Montiel, 80'), Ocampos, Munir (Joan Jordán, 46'), Tecatito (Lamela, 67') and Martial (En-Nesyri, 59').

0. REAL SOCIEDAD: Remiro, Zaldua (Gorosabel, 46'), Elustondo, Le Normand, Diego Rico, Zubimendi, Mikel Merino (Guridi, 63'), Januzaj (Martín, 86'), Portu (Isak, 75'), Rafinha (Silva, 63') and Sorloth.

GOALS: None.

REFEREE: César Soto Grado. Yellows for Zaldua, Januzaj and Gorosabel.