0-1: JOB DONE FOR SEVILLA AS THEY KNOCK BERGANTIÑOS OUT OF THE COPA DEL REY

18/12/2019

Koundé scored the only goal of a match that Sevilla comfortably dominated, but there were still lingering nerves due to the 1-0 lead. The draw for the next round takes place on Monday

Mission accomplished for Sevilla FC in the Copa del Rey 2019/20 opener. They had to fight at a rainsoaked Riazor against a Bergantiños side who were full of excitement, but were unable to beat Bono. Sevilla had all kinds of chances and deserved to win by more, but Jules Koundé's first goal for the club, from a corner, was enough to put us in the hat for the next round.

Julen Lopetegui was fully respectful of both the cup and Bergantiños. He picked a strong starting XI and the team went out fully intending to seal a result as quickly as possible. Although the pitch was not in top condition due to the heavy rain that fell during the match, the Nervionenses had most of the possession and attacked more throughout the match. Inside 15 minutes Chicharito had the first chance, firing wide after a cross from the left, but two minutes later Sevilla had their just reward.

Sevilla wanted to seal the result early one and went in front after a quarter of an hour

Joan Jordán whipped a corner in from the right and Koundé rose highest to put Sevilla in front. It was his first goal for the Nervionenses, and Christopher was easily beaten by his header. Chicharito had the ball in the net a couple of minutes later but his goal was disallowed due to a foul on the goalkeeper in the six yard box. This all came inside the first twenty minutes, but play gradually slowed until half time. It was not a lack of dominance from Sevilla, but due to a lack of chances at both ends.

This all changed with the start of the second half. The first chance of the half came when an Óliver Torres cross fell kindly for Joan Jordán, but his shot went over the bar. Then, both Chicharito and Dabbur came close to scoring the second, the latter having a chance cleared off the line by Toni. Despite the chances, Lopetegui was not convinced of a result and did not hesistae to make changes, bringing on Rony Lopes for Ocampos, and Banega for Óliver.

Jordán had a big chance to make it 2-0 early on in the second half

Either a Jordán free-kick grazed the crossbar and a Chicharito shot which cannoned off the post could have doubled Sevilla's lead as the pitch at the Riazor had increasinly more puddles. The one-goal lead obliged Sevilla to be cautious, despite the fact that Bergantiños had barely troubled Bono. Aarón had their best chance in the final ten minutes, a shot from distance that was just off target. In the end, there were no more chances as the Bergantiños players began to tire, and Sevilla kept the ball for the remaining minutes. Job done for Sevilla, and on Monday they will find out their opponents for the second round, which is due to take place on 11th/12th January.

MATCH STATISTICS

0. BERGANTIÑOS FC: Cristopher, Toni, Iago López, Marcos Rodríguez, Aarón, Agulló, Granada (Remeseiro, 77'), Álex Diéguez (Miguel Duque, 56'), Diego Ferández, Cano and Rivera (Yelco, 64').

1. SEVILLA FC: Bono, Pozo, Koundé, Sergi Gómez, Escudero, Gudelj, Joan Jordán, Óliver Torres (Banega, 64'), Ocampos Rony Lopes, 54'), Dabbur and Chicharito (Munir, 79').

GOAL: 0-1, 16': Koundé

REFEREE: Pablo González Fuertes, from Asturias. Yellow cards for Ocampos, Chicharito and Diego Fernández, .