1-3: SEVILLA FC DIG DEEP TO TURN AROUND A COMPLICATED MATCH

27/09/2020

De Jong equalised after Salvi scored for Cádiz, with Munir completing Sevilla's comeback a minute from time. Rakitić rounded things off in injury time

It was not easy. Sevilla FC fought tooth and nail to secure a painstaking comeback this Sunday evening to secure their first league win of the season, beating Cádiz 3-1 at the Ramón de Carranza. Once more, the competitive spirit and fight that Julen Lopetegui has instilled into the team was evident. Sevilla FC did not give up, and in a match which appeared to be getting away from them following Salvi's goal, the team dug deep to secure the win. Goals from De Jong, Munir and Rakitić secured the win.

In the first half, both teams had opportunities to put themselves in front at the break. Cádiz had their best chance right in the first minute, when José Mari forced Bono into a superb save to deny his strike from outside the box. Cádiz had another chance following a cross from the left wing, but neither Salvi nor Negredo managed to get anything on it.

Both sides could have arrived to the break in front after having some clear opportunities

Sevilla FC had the ball in the back of the net after 15 minutes. After a good combination between Suso and Ocampos, the Argentine fired a shot beyond the goalkeeper. However, after a check from VAR, the goal was ruled out for offside. Óliver Torres then hit the post after a superb pass from Ocampos, leaving the Spaniard alone in the box, but at a difficult angle to turn it in.

The second half did not start well for Sevilla. A Cádiz counterattack left Negredo with the ball at the back post, and Salvi made the most of the Spaniard's header, firing the ball past Bono to make it 1-0. Sevilla tried to immediately reply as Ocampos fired a shot wide from outside the box. However, in the very next play, Negredo had an excellent chance to make it 2-0, with Bono ready as ever to turn the ex-Sevilla player's extravagant rabona behind.

Negredo, with the score at 1-0, passed up a great opportunity to further cement Cádiz's lead. Sevilla FC soon took advantage of.

After that moment, everything changed. Lopetegui made some changes, livened up the team and Sevilla got to work. The evergreen Jesús Navas was key once more, this time dribbling down the wing and whipping an excellent cross into De Jong who headed home with aplomb. The minutes went by, and although Sevilla had control, there were not many chances to complete the turnaround.

With injury time approaching, with a tired Sevilla searching for the three points, Jordán played an exquisite passes, breaking two lines, and leaving Munir completely free against the goalkeeper, and the striker did not fail. Munir controlled the ball, looked the 'keeper in the eyes, and placed the ball into the back of the net with his left foot. The victory seemed to be heading, after a hard-fought match, to Sevilla. And to round things off, Rakitić got in on the show, making a run alongside the goalscorer Munir, who unselfishly passed it to the Croat for a tap-in to make it 3-1.

Lopetegui's changes were key to give Sevilla the fresh legs to push for the victory

Next Thursday, at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán, Sevilla FC welcome Levante UD for the team's first home match of the season. It is yet another short break for the team, with only four days rest following herculean efforts against Bayern on Thursday and Cádiz today.

GAME SUMMARY

1. CÁDIZ CF: Cifuentes, Carcelén, Cala, López, Espino, José Mari (Malbasic, 76'), Jonsson (Augusto Fernández, 70'), Salvi (Fali, 83'), Pombo (Bodiger, 83'), Álex Fernández y Negredo (Lozano, 76').

3. SEVILLA FC: Bono, Jesús Navas, Sergi Gómez (Jordán, 60'), Diego Carlos, Acuña, Gudelj, Rakitic, Óliver Torres (Munir, 60'), Ocampos (Bryan, 78'), Suso (Óscar, 69') y En-Nesyri (De Jong, 60').

GOALS: 1-0 Salvi, 48'. 1-1 De Jong, 65'. 2-1 Munir, 89'. 1-3 Rakitic, 90+4'.

REFEREE: Medié Jiménez. Yellows for: Gudelj, Suso, Cala, Augusto Fernández, López and Fali.