Sevilla does its homework in Europe
Those of Sampaoli, from less to more, draw a 2-0 against Fenerbahce to improve sensations and bring the quarterfinals closer
MADRID, March 9 (EUROPA PRESS) –
Sevilla reacted this Thursday to beat Fenerbahce (2-0) in the first leg of the Europa League round of 16 held at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán after a bad first half, to get a good income for the second leg next week and improve his mood due to the crisis he is going through in the League.
Jorge Sampaoli’s team got off scot-free after a bad first half and in the second, better planted with the entry of Jordán, they scored early through the Catalan and took the initiative. Lamela doubled the income in the 85th minute for a Sevilla that, tied with the relegation zone in the League, regains strength in Europe.
The European remedy became a disease at times for a Sevilla that went to rest giving thanks to Dmitrovic for the 0-0. The goalkeeper this starting Thursday was the best of his in the first half, saving two heads with Kadioglu and King. In addition, Fenerbahce touched the goal in some more with Enner Valencia.
The Ecuadorian striker, who began his career at Emelec in his country under Sampaoli, tried in every way, even from midfield. Despite knowing him well, the Argentine coach did not know how to stop the top scorer in the Turkish league, nor a vertical Fenerbahce that punished the Andalusian imprecision.
And it is that Sevilla innovated on the pitch, especially with Acuña’s position in midfield to attack, and the plan did not come to fruition. The players dedicated themselves to talking more than playing, trying to respond to the scheme, and Sampaoli was correcting as he went. In defense, another weak point, the local team made water, although Dmitrovic avoided sung goals.
A foul by Rakitic that was poisoned and a header by En-Nesyri was what was dangerous for Sevilla for 45 minutes, but after the break they knew how to change the chip. The six-time Europa League champion returned with the clearest ideas, looking for the Moroccan striker and pressing up. Sevilla didn’t need much to find it 1-0 on minute 56 with a long shot from Jordán.
The locals connected by the way to Pizjuán and lowered the smoke to a Fenerbahce that began to suffer. There was still cloth to cut and, 20 minutes from the end, Valencia returned to haunt the goal. The Ecuadorian striker unleashed a quick shot and then a header in barely a minute that did not surprise an inspired Dmitrovic either.
Without a punch, the Turkish team seemed satisfied with the defeat by the minimum that they did not know how to save, since five minutes from the end Lamela appeared only from the second line to make it 2-0. The visitors claimed a positional offside for En-Nesyri, but Sevilla picked up the spoils for next week in Istanbul.
DATA SHEET.
–RESULT: SEVILLA, 2 – FENERBAHCE, 0. (0-0, at halftime).
–LINE-UPS.
SEVILLE: Dmitrovic; Navas, Nianzou, Gudelj, Alex Telles (Jordán, rest), Acuña (Suso, min.86); Fernando, Óliver Torres (Ocampos, min.69), Rakitic, Bryan Gil (Lamela, min.69) and En-Nesyri (Rafa Mir, min.86).
FENERBAHCE: Bayindir; Kadioglu, Aziz, Akaydin, Szalai; Kahveci, Arao, Crespo (Diego Rossi, min.67), Henrique (Osayi-Samuel, min.86); King (Batshuayi, min.67) and Enner Valencia (Joao Pedro, min.82).
–GOALS:
1 – 0, min. 56, Jordan.
2 – 0, min.85, Lamela.
–REFEREE: François Letexier (FRA). He admonished Telles (min.4) and Gil (min.45 + 3) by Sevilla. And Kadioglu (min.45+3) at Fenerbahce.
–STADIUM: Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán.