En-Nesyri celebrates his goal against Stade Rennais

1-3: A VICTORY IN RENNES TO SEE OFF AN UNFORGETTABLE 2020 IN EUROPEAN COMPETITIONS

08/12/2020
Sevilla FC win their first game in France and end the group stage with a superb strike from Koundé and a brace from En-Nesyri

13 points from 18. Sevilla FC brought a close to a very fruitful Champions League group stage this evening with a resounding win against Stade Rennais in France. The French team had a strong start but Julen Lopetegui's team soon got a hold on the game and did not let go, going into the break 2-0 up following two great goals from Jules Koundé and Youssef En-Nesyri. The second-half was a more relaxed affair and En-Nesyri completely killed the game by adding a third. Rutter did score a consolation from the spot, but the game had been won. It marks Sevilla's first win in France and now the team await the draw to see who their opponent in the last-16 will be.

Monchi had warned in the build-up to the game that Rennes would be more comfortable on the ball than last time. And he wasn't wrong, as Stephan's team controlled the ball from kick-off and had various attacks on Bono's goal. Doku was dangerous throughout, offering dangerous dribbling down the right wing and set Niang up twice for a potential opener. The striker missed the first shot but he was more accurate with the second, forcing Bono into a wonderful save to send the ball behind for a corner. Sevilla reacted with an En-Nesyri header that went wide as the team began to get a grip on the game.

Rennes didn't make the most of their strong start to get the opening goal

Lopetegui's team stemmed Rennes' attacks through gaining more possession of the ball and they took their chances when they arrived. After thirty minutes, Rekik whipped a cross into the box. Idrissi managed to take it down and laid it off to Koundé who fired it in with his weak-foot from outside the box. It was a blow for Rennes who had started the game more strongly but were not clinical enough with their chances. And Sevilla would punish the French side once more before the break.

With 45 minutes played, Idrissi fed the ball into Óliver Torres who pushed forward down the left wing, opened space for a cross and whipped it perfectly onto En-Nesyri's head. The Moroccan, who has already scored some great headers this season, headed it down into the near post to make it 2-0. The second-half was played with less intensity. Rennes began to regain control of the ball and stemmed Sevilla's attacks, however they were unable to find the goal to halve the deficit. Sevilla made their first substitution halfway through the second-half, Ocampos replacing Idrissi.

Sevilla made the most of their chances to defeat Stade Rennais

Ocampos' pressing helped the team restructure and control Rennes' new-found attacking momentum. Bono was also key, coming up with some excellent saves. The French team sent everyone forward in the hope of getting back into the game, but they would be punished in a counter-attack with ten minutes to go. Óscar played a great pass into En-Nesyri who made no mistake one-on-one as he slid the ball past the 'keeper. The Moroccan was replaced shortly after bt Carlos Fernández with the game coming to a close, however Rennes did manage to get a consolation goal from the spot from Rutter after VAR informed the referee a foul judged to have been outside the box was actually made in it.

Tonight marked the last European game of a memorable, for many reasons, 2020. Despite the new and challenging circumstances, Sevilla were able to win their sixth Europa League this year. The draw for the Round of 16 takes place next Monday, with the current possible opponents being Bayern Munich, Manchester City, Liverpool, and Borussia Dortmund. The team will know the eight teams in full after tomorrow's matches. Now the team turn attentions to La Liga and the Copa del Rey, with the team travelling to Getafe on Saturday.

SUMMARY

1. STADE RENNAIS FC: Salin, Traoré, Soppy, Da Silva (Aguerd, 71'), Maouassa (Trouffert, 78'), Nzonzi, Grenier (Tait, 79'), Camavinga, Dalbert, Doku (Gboho, 79') and Niang (Rutter, 70').

3. SEVILLA FC: Bono, Koundé, Sergi Gómez (Fernando, 76'), Diego Carlos, Rekik, Gudelj, Rakitic, Óliver Torres (Franco Vázquez, 83'), Suso (Óscar Rodríguez, 77'), Idrissi (Ocampos, 72') and En-Nesyri (Carlos Fernández, 83').

GOALS: 0-1, 32': Koundé; 0-2, 45+2': En-Nesyri; 0-3, 81': En-Nesyri; 1-3, 86': Rutter pen.

REFEREE: Bartosz Frankowski. Yellows for Traoré, Grenier, Da Silva, Soppy, En-Nesyri, and Rekik.