Imagen
Gudelj celebrates our third goal against PSV Eindhoven
Match reports

HERE WE ARE AGAIN (3-0)

16/02/2023
Entradilla
En-Nesyri, just before the break, Ocampos, just after the after the break and Gudelj just after the Argentine, put on a goalscoring display in the home leg of the Playoff
Cuerpo Superior

Sevilla FC will return to Eindhoven seventeen years and six UEFA Europa League titles later with an impressive result that should give them a good chance of reaching the last 16 of the competition. In a first leg in which they barely afforded their opponents 20 minutes, including a stunning save from Bono, Jorge Sampaoli's side began to play brilliant football shortly before half-time, with En-Nesyri opening the scoring.

Just after the restart, Ocampos scored for the first time following his return, extending the lead, which Gudelj finished off before the 60th minute, to the delight of the Sevilla fans. Another victory at the Sánchez-Pizjuán and another clean sheet to ensure a well-earned lead heading into the trip to the Netherlands. 

The first half at the Sánchez-Pizjuán ended in the best possible way, the kind of first half that acted as a catalyst for what was to come. Jordán, who won the ball back from the Dutch defence, opened up the play for Óliver Torres, who did the same for Jesús Navas, who added another assist to his long list of assists for En-Nesyri, who, in a move typical of a striker, beat the Dutch goalkeeper with a low driven shot.

That was the end of a first half in which Sevilla FC, from half-time onwards, overcame a period of dominance from the visitors, who pinned Sampaoli's men back in their own half and made them uncomfortable for a long period of the game.

Bono kept out Saibari's strike midway through the first half and allowed Sevilla to fight back.

Bono, in another fine performance worthy of a goalkeeper who will be in contention for FIFA's The Best award, prevented Saibari from opening the scoring for PSV Eindhoven, denying the Moroccan winger's shot. Although without further clear-cut chances, Van Nistelrooy's side took possession away from the Nervión side and with the attacking play of Xavi Simons and Saibari himself, they caused discomfort in Sevilla's half.

Before that moment in which the Sevilla players began to dominate, there was the added inconvenience of an injury to Badé, who had to be substituted when he felt a twinge in the back of his thigh, and Fernando was brought on. Nianzou, shortly before En-Nesyri's goal, headed a Rakitic corner just wide of Benítez's right-hand post.

The second half started as the first ended: with Sevilla FC putting pressure on the goal of the Dutch side. Sampaoli's second substitution, Ocampos, hit a magnificent volley on his left foot after a beautiful touch with his right off a ball from Óliver Torres, which Benítez could do nothing to keep out. There was pandemonium in the stands of the home side, before spurring their side on to score a third. And it did the trick. PSV were shook after such a poor start and Sevilla took advantage. Ocampos back-heeled the ball to Gudelj, who fired in past Benitez from the penalty spot to make it 3-0 in the Sanchez-Pizjuan. Sevilla FC were enjoying themselves as they kept on scoring.

After the two goals at the start of the second half, Sevilla FC continued to press the Dutch, who were being completely outplayed.

Sevilla FC did not allow Ruud van Nistelrooy's team to catch their breath, overwhelmed by the home side’s domination, pressing high up the pitch in order to remain in control of the ball. The fourth could have come from after we regained the ball in the opponent’s half, but Óliver Torres’ shot was blocked by a defender. The next opportunity fell to PSV as Bono intervened again to prevent PSV Eindhoven scoring. Veerman had the clearest opportunity for the away side as he hit the left post in the 79th minute, which acted as a warning sign for Sevilla. The match was end-to-end and Sevilla FC had to find a way to see out the final minutes.

Sevilla FC did this and the referee's final whistle came. Next Thursday, in Eindhoven, we will try to secure our place in the round of 16 of the UEFA Europa League.

Cuerpo Inferior

 

MATCH SUMMARY

3. SEVILLA FC: Bono, Jesús Navas, Nianzou, Gudelj, Badé (Fernando, min. 15), Acuña (Montiel, min. 69), Jordán, Rakitic, Ó. Torres (Lamela, min. 69), Bryan Gil (Ocampos, min. 46) and En-Nesyri (Suso, min. 61).

0. PSV EINDHOVEN: Benítez, Teze, Ramalho (Mwene, min. 89), Branthwaite, Van Aanholt (Junior, min. 74), Sangaré, Til (Hazard, min. 61), Veerman, Saibari (Obispo, min. 89), Simons, De Jong (Fabio Silva, min. 61).

GOALS: 1-0 En-Nesyri, minute 45. 2-0 Ocampos, minute 49. 3-0 Gudelj, minute 55.

REFEREE: Radu Petrescu. Yellows shown to Gudelj and Lamela.