INTRODUCTION
This weekend in La Liga, we saw Sevilla hosting the defending champions Real Madrid. The race for La Liga is already on but two spanish giants Real Madrid and Barça looked off colour this season in midweek. Real came into the game losing two back to back games. One against Alaves and another Shakthar Donetsk. While Sevilla was thumped by Chelsea in the Champions League. Real Madrid manager, Zinedine Zidane was on the verge of sacking as per media reports. Thus it was a do or die game for Los Blancos.
Line-up
Real Madrid
GK -Courtois
DEFENCE- Vazquez, Varane, Nacho, Ferland Mendy.
MIDFIELD – Modric Casemiro Kroos
ATTACK- Rodrygo Benzema Vinicius
Subs :
Asensio in for Rodrygo at 66′
Sevilla
GK- Bounou
DEFENCE- Jesus Navas, Jules Kounde, Diego Carlos, Aleix Vidal
MIDFIELD – Jules Jordan, Fernando, Rakitic
ATTACK- Lucas Ocampos, De Jong, Munir El Haddadi
Subs :
Oliver Torres in for Munir at 46′
Gudelj in for Jules Jordan at 64′
Suso in for Rakitic at 64′
En-Nesyri in for De Jong at 64′
Idrissi in for Diego Carlos at 80
First Half
The game started with Real Madrid in control. The midfield duo of Kroos and Modric being back at their best. Helped Real Madrid controlling the first half in the midfield. They moved the ball quickly and created some early chance as Rodrygo created an easy chance for his fellow Brazilian Vinicius who missed the goal by an inch from an odd angle. Both the teams tried to have the ball more and dictate the play as we know both of the managers try to have the ball more. Benzema dropped deep most of the time combining with the midfield.
Sevilla midfielder Fernando and Casemiro was at their level best and made some crucial interceptions. Veteran Jesus Navas was crucial and used his experience to stop Vinicius from exploiting on the left. The 35-year-old also pinged some dangerous crosses which De Jong failed to meet. Sevilla’s goalkeeper Bounou looked nervous as he gave the ball away in his box which was initially cleared by Diego Carlos but Vinicius failed to take the chance. The half ended with a scoreline of 0-0.
Second Half
Sevilla came into the second half with Munir getting subbed off by Oliver Torres. The Spanish midfielder was quick to make an impact as he dropped deep and created some chances for Ocampos and De Jong. Sevilla had a great spell of possession but they failed to create any clear cut chances for their Dutch striker. The first goal came as Toni Kroos played Benzema who lobbed the ball to Ferland Mendy on the left and his cross was met by Vinicius who once again failed to push the ball into the net but the ball took a deflection of Sevilla goalkeeper and went into the net.
Three quick substitutions from Lopetegui made some instant impact as Sevilla had created some chances and had the ball for the majority of the second half. Suso and Navas combined well and made Courtois stretch for the first time. The 3-4-3 was not enough for Sevilla as Real Madrid defended their goal with Nacho and Varane making some crucial interceptions and clearances and in the end, Real Madrid bagged 3 points.
Conclusion
It was a crucial match for both of the teams as Real Madrid recorded back-to-back wins at Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán in La Liga for the first time in eight years. They moved on to third place in the table behind their city rival Atletico and La Real. Sevilla defender Diego Carlos once again proved why he is rated so highly in La Liga as he and his partner Jules Kounde put up a solid defensive performance despite the loss. Real Madrid duo of Toni Kroos and Modric had a monstrous performance while Lucas Vazquez put up on a solid display despite not being a right-back. All in all, it was an entertaining game at Seville and both the teams pushed hard for the win and put up a great defensive display on the pitch.
