0-0: THE UNBEATEN RUN REMAINS INTACT

16/07/2020

Sevilla keep another clean sheet but were unable to take all three points in the final away match of the season

The final matches of the season have added importance. The table determines the success of a team's season and, maybe, this match could have been much more vibrant in other circumstances. Although both sides had their moments and chances to score, Sevilla did not see the need to push too much at the Reale Arena and Real Sociedad took a positive point for them in their hunt for Europa League qualification ahead of their trip to the Wanda next week. To finish third, Sevilla must beat Valencia and also need Real Sociedad to beat Atlético de Madrid on Sunday.

With Champions League qualification secured, Julen Lopetegui opted for a rotated eleven. The first half was very, very even, with both teams trying to take control and containing each other well in the middle of the park. Clear cut chances were few and far between, but Sevilla were more calm on the ball and played more one-touch football.

Sevilla tried to take control against Real Sociedad in the first half

Navas and Reguilón created chances on the flanks but Moyá, like Bono, was alert to any danger and cleared well. There was no danger until the 40th minute, when En-Nesyri had the first real chance from a Jesús Navas cross, but Moyá was well positioned to save comfortably. Mikel Merino went close soon after, but Bono was equal to his effort and tipped it wide for a corner.

Sevilla changed their style of play in the second half, opting for a more direct style of play and with En-Nesyri trying to play off the defence. Suso had a good chance early on in the second half after Sevilla won the ball high up the pitch, but his effort was wide of the mark. Portu went close on the resulting counter attack but hit the bar with a powerful strike.

Bono was the best Sevillista and was equal to the task

Lopetegui brought on Banega and Ocampos in an attempt to secure three points, but Real Sociedad began to sit back more and more, with a point being useful for them due to results elsewhere. The match began to open up, and Bono made a double save to deny Willian José. Fernando and Munir were then brought on in a second round of changes, before De Jong replaced En-Nesyri late on.

As the match came to its conclusion, Real Sociedad were happy to take a point but Sevilla had a late chance, as Ocampos went one-on-one with the keeper, but Moyá saved well. Full time, Sevilla were not quite their usual selves but they were again strong defensively and have maintained their unbeaten run. In fact, it is just the fourth match in the league this season where Sevilla did not score. On Sunday at 21:00, Valencia visit Nervión in the final match of the league season.

MATCH STATISTICS

0. REAL SOCIEDAD: Moyá, Zaldúa (Gorosabel, 82'), Llorente, Le Normand, Aihen (Monreal, 46'), Portu (Isak, 66'), Zubimendi, Zubeldia, Merino, Oyarzabal (Barrenetxea, 83') and Willian José.

0. SEVILLA FC: Bono, Jesús Navas, Koundé, Sergi Gómez, Reguilón, Gudelj, Joan Jordán (Munir, 75'), Óliver Torres (Ocampos, 61'), Suso (Fernando, 74'), Franco Vázquez (Banega, 61') and En-Nesyri (De Jong, 84').

GOALS: None.

REFEREE: Carlos del Cerro Grande, from Madrid. Bookings for En-Nesyri, Banega and Barrenetxea.