Match reports

3-2: SEVILLA BLOW A TWO GOAL LEAD IN EIBAR

26/09/2019

This Thursday evening we saw two sides of Sevilla FC, after they threw away a two goal lead to lose 3-2 at Eibar

The unpredictability of football was display for all to say this Thursday evening in Eibar. After a first half completely dominated by Lopetegui's men where they went into the break two goals to the good, the second half turned into a horror show. Three inexplicable errors gave SD Eibar the comeback they were craving. It was a hammerblow to Sevilla who must have thought they had the three points in the bag. This Sunday, they will be looking to bounce back when they face Real Sociedad at home.

Sevilla started brightly in Ipurúa, where once again away from home, they were in control and were the only team who looked like scoring early on. After five minutes, Ocampos crossed for Munir who scuffed his shot into the hands of Dmitrovic. However, Sevilla only needed one more chance to put themselves in front. Jordán recovered a ball after a heavy touch by Ramis in the midfield, who sent Ocampos on his way with a floated ball over the top of the defence. One on one with the 'keeper, the Argentine made no mistake and slotted his shot home to give Sevilla the lead in the 11th minute. Sevilla were completely in control in the game, whereas Eibar were trying to find some sort of rhythm to get them going. Munir nearly added a second soon after, while the first Eibar attempt came after 15 minutes, but the shot was weak and was comfortable for Vaclík.

The first half was completely dominated by Sevilla

The game, and Eibar, needed something to happen, as Sevilla were in complete control. Munir hit the woodwork after a cross from Navas, and Mendilibar looked to his bench and changed his system. He brought Escalante on for Inui after barely half an hour. Once again, Sevilla threatened and this time down the left hand side, with a through ball by Munir for Ocampos, who put slid a ball across the goal for Óliver Torres to put the ball into an empty net. Sevilla were completely in control of the game, with Eibar barely having anything to shout about. It was a great first half performance from a team who must have thought they had the game in the palm of their hands.

However, if one thing can be said about Eibar in their own stadium, it's that their spirit never wavers. In this instance, there wasn't an feeling that they could turn this result around after the first half. At the start of the second half, Eibar started to press forward and the momentum of the game changed. The game was being played in Sevilla's half, but Vaclík was yet to be tested. However, that all changed after the hour-mark whenever Sevilla conceded their first away goal of the season. Koundé, who had just been brought on for the injured Carriço, gave away a penalty after being dispossessed on the edge of the area by Orellana. The Chilean made no mistake from 12 yards out as he sent Vaclík the wrong way to half the defecit. Lopetegui repeated what he had done in previous games, which was to add a bit more sturdiness to the midfield when he substituted Jordán, and brought on Gudelj.

The penalty was the turning point in the game, as Sevilla weren't the same after it

It is somewhat of a learning curve for Lopetegui and his team, who saw how Eibar were able to turn the game on its head; a game which they had practically lost at half-time. And something which hadn't happened yet in the season, happened in Ipurúa. A huge breakdown in communication between Diego Carlos and Vaclík, both played went for the same ball. Carlos got there first and knocked it back past his 'keeper, giving Pedro León the opportunity to equalise from a tight angle - to which he duly obliged. The comeback was complete when Cote placed a free kick out of the reach of Vaclík. This completely threw Sevilla off track, who had barely any time left to react to what had happened. Lopetegui made his final change in an attempt to liven up the forward line, bringing Pozo on for Óliver Torres.

A lot has changed in five days as Sevilla have relinquished their lead at the top of the table, as well as falling out of the European spots in the process. This goes to show that a lot can change at the start of a season, and that every point at every stage in the season matters. Now, Sevilla have to pick themselves up as soon as possible for their next league game. This will take place on Sunday night, at home, where they will be looking for their first win in Nervión this season.

MATCH STATISTICS

3. SD EIBAR: Dmitrovic, Arbilla, Oliveira, Ramis (De Blasis, minute 46), Cote, Edu Expósito, Diop, Pedro León, Inui (Escalante, minute 32), Orellana y Quique González.

2. SEVILLA FC: Vaclík, Jesús Navas, Diego Carlos, Carriço (Koundé, minute 61), Escudero, Joan Jordán (Gudelj, minute 68), Fernando, Banega, Ocampos, Óliver Torres (Pozo, minute 78) y Munir.

GOLES: 0-1, minute 11: Ocampos; 0-2, minute 32: Óliver Torres; 1-2, minute 66: Orellana pen.; 2-2, minute 77: Pedro León; 3-2, minute 81: Cote.

ÁRBITRO:Pablo González Fuertes, from Asturias. Yellow cards for: Arbilla, Edu Expósito, Oliveira, Escudero, Joan Jordán, Gudelj and Diego Carlos.