Match reports

3-0: THE MAIN GUEST CONFIRMS THEIR PRESENCE

30/08/2018

Two quick-fire goals in the middle of the first half gave Sevilla the chance to calmly progress to the Europa League group phases. Sigma Olomouc were motivated but they could not do anything to turn the game around. Ben Yedder finished the game off in the second half.

The main goal on which our start of the season was focused has been realised. Sevilla FC is now amongst the list of clubs in the Europa League Group Stage after confirming their qualification against Sigma Olomouc in the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán. The almost consecutive goals from Gonalons and Nespor (OG) in the middle of the first half proved too much for Vaclav Jilek's team, who knew after that they were in their last minutes of the competition. In fact, Pablo Machín took the chance to rest some of his players in the second half with El Gran Derbi in under 72 hours. One of the substitutes, Wissam Ben Yedder, killed the game off after a counter.

It should come as no surprise that Sigma started the game off positively, knowing that if they could have made life difficult for Sevilla in the previous leg they could dream of an early goal to spice up the tie. However, the first team to strike were Sevilla, with an active Nolito, who scored in the ninth minute but had his effort ruled out for a supposed foul on Sladky. Shortly after Gonalons gave his first warning, whose long-range strike was well saved by Buchta. And with the Czech team's push, Sevilla exploited the spaces in behind to cause danger. After another long-range strike from Banega, the next to try their luck was André Silva, whose shot went just wide of the goalkeeper's right post.

Gonalons starred, scoring a goal with a strong shot against which Buchta could do nothing

These were warnings which Sigma Olomouc failed to recognise as our first goal of the night arrived in the next play. After ping-ball in the box, Gonalon's powerful effort was successful in beating Buchta. Afterwards, a corner from Banega was met with a great header from Vázquez, which Nespor (OG) headed into his own net. Just before, in fact the very play that brought about the corner, Aleix Vidal could have got the second himself after a quick counter.

From here on, Sevilla lowered the pace and Sigma took advantage to take charge of the game, although they struggled to create many chances in attack. Perhaps the clearest chance, ten minutes before the break, was Houska's chance after Nespor's pass. The break arrived with the tie essentially over, with the team able to take their foot off the gas to save energy for the derby on Sunday. Indeed, Pablo Machín did not take too much time to replace a busy André Silva with Wissam Ben Yedder. Sevilla kept trying for the third goal, but Nolito's effort went over the ball and Silva failed to beat Buchta.

Machín could rest players in the second half and the subsitutes, Roque Mesa and Ben Yedder, created the third goal between them

Banega also got a rest, with Roque Mesa replacing him in the middle of the second half. In fact, the first two substitutions would create the third goal. A rapid Sevilla counter attack was led by Roque Mesa until the edge of the box. He tried to pass to the left, but his pass deflected off an opponent's leg into Ben Yedder's path, who stuck it away. In the end, with another Nolito goal ruled out for offside, the objective was achieved and we turn our focus towards the vital match on Sunday in the Benito Villamarín.