3-1: THE TEAM BIDS FAREWELL TO GERMANY WITH DEFEAT AGAINST MAGDEBURG

Sevilla FC couldn't make amends for yesterday's defeat in Rostock. José Luis Mendilibar's boys, now in Magdeburg, bid farewell to their mini-tour of Germany with a defeat against FC Magdeburg that was all but settled before the break. With only Dmitrovic keeping his place in the starting eleven, Sevilla found themselves facing a team whose approach was far more eleaborate than that of Hansa Rostock, but like Rostock, a team that managed to take the lead early on. Although a stroke of luck brought the tie level, the drive from the home side put them ahead 3-1 at the interval. There wasn't too much action in the second half. Ocampos had a chance to level the score from the penalty spot fifteen minutes from the end but Reimann was on hand to save the Argentine's penalty. 

As they had done in the two previous outings against Independiente del Valle and Hansa Rostock, Sevilla saw themselves a goal behind. Only 14 minutes had past when, after a Ceka cross from the right wing ricocheted off a Sevilla defender, Schuler latched on to the loose ball, sending into the back of the net and giving Magdeburg the lead. The Germans made it clear that they were opting for a game that was not as direct as that of yesterday's opponents. Ceka tried his luck from just outside the 18-yard box but Dmitrovic had the shot covered. Ocampos put in a cross from the right wing and Schuler, goalscorer of the Magdeburg's opener, in an attempt to clear the ball, ended up putting the ball in his own net. 

Lucas Ocampos got in a full 90, his first of the pre-season

Now level, Sevilla mustered up some clear chances through Óscar, Pedrosa (cleared off the line) and Jordán from distance. Once again, however, whilst on top, the team was dealt a blow. Bell arrived at the back post after a good cross from Ceka. With barely any time to watch the goal back, a strike from Atik from the edge of the dee was too much to handle for Dmitrovic, injuring the keeper in the process, forcing him to make way for Juanlu (Pedro Ortiz). The second half had a fast start to it with Sevilla pressing high and Magdeburg trying to take advantage of the spaces opening up but the pace soon started to slacken and any attempt to turn the scoreboard on its head became impossible. Mendilibar gave Acuña and Isaac Romero some minutes half an hour from the final whistle. 

The 2. Bundesliga side shut up shop in the closing stages of the game with Sevilla moving the ball around in the opposition's half but without stringing together that illusive final pass. With the game coming to an end, Rakitic and Rafa Mir came off the bench and with almost his first touch, Mir was fouled inside the area but Ocampos' penalty was gathered by the gloves of Reimann. With little luck on their side and now two defeats in Germany, Sevilla return home before flying out to the USA on Friday for the final stages of the pre-season. The final three friendlies against Crystal Palace, Betis and Atlético de Madrid will be played across the Atlantic.