Sevilla FC's Óliver Torres against Real Valladolid

1-1: SEVILLA FC PUNISHED BY REAL VALLADOLID AND MISS OUT ON TWO VITAL POINTS

19/12/2020
A spectacular strike from Raúl Carnero punished Sevilla at the death as they draw and miss out on two valuable points after Ocampos had put the team in the lead

The unusually bleak weather in Seville tonight perhaps foreboded the football match that was to come. Sevilla FC could only muster a point against Real Valladolid, a result that halts the momentum in the league generated from last Saturday's win against Getafe. After a positive start, the match changed after Sevilla found the opening goal. The team dropped back and Raúl Carnero's late equaliser punished the team and left them without time to respond.

The start of the game went to script as Sevilla dominated the ball and attacked Valladolid's half. After seven minutes, Valladolid's Bruno picked up a booking and four minutes later Sevilla's first big chance would come. Masip's clearance from his box fell short at Rakitić's feet and the Croatian played a superbly weighted ball into Lucas Ocampos. The Argentine was one-on-one with the 'keeper and opted for an audacious chip. The ball fell and fell, but not enough. It clipped the bar and En-Nesyri was centimetres away from scoring the rebound. Sevilla were controlling the game, but were not able to create the chances that their possession warranted.

Sevilla dominated the first half, but could only find the goal through the penalty spot

In such a competitive match, every action is decisive. And that was the case with a free-kick that Suso whipped into En-Nesyri's head. The Moroccan was being tightly marked by Fede San Emeterio, who instinctively reached out his hand and blocked the ball, leaving Gil Manzano with no option but to point to the spot. Ocampos stepped up and sent Masip the wrong way. Shortly after, Ocampos would have another chance with a shot from outside the box. The last minutes of the first half saw Valladolid somewhat re-establish themselves within the game, but not seemingly enough to worry a Sevilla that seemed to be heading towards another victory.

The second half played out fairly similarly to the end of the first under a light but incessant rain in Seville. Valladolid would have the first big chance of the half, only seven minutes after the break. The ball fell to Marcos André with his back to goal and the Brazilian did not hesitate in performing a speculative back-heel that had Bono beaten, but hit the post. Jordán would shortly after come on to replace Óliver, as Sevilla appeared to be losing their grip on the game.

Valladolid had a strong end to the game and found their reward with little time left on the clock

Sevilla were under threat and Lopetegui made the second change with fifteen minutes to go. De Jong came on for Ocampos, with En-Nesyri moving out to the wing. Things did not improve for the team and Valladolid kept pushing. And they would find their reward with three minutes to go. A corner was sent in to the back post and found its way to Raúl Carnero who was waiting on the edge of the box. Carnero's volley was struck perfectly as he sent the ball beyond Bono and into the back of the net. It was a hammer blow for Sevilla, who were left with no time to reply. The team were punished for having sat back after scoring the opener and miss out on two valuable points.

Tonight was a missed chance to keep up the team's good form in La Liga, with the only recent blot being the defeat against Real Madrid some weeks ago. Sevilla stay behind FC Barcelona in La Liga and must now start preparing for Tuesday's important match away to Valencia. The team will then finally have a short break of seven days before they are back into the swing of things against Villarreal and Betis.

SUMMARY

1. SEVILLA FC: Bono, Jesús Navas, Koundé, Diego Carlos, Acuña, Fernando, Rakitic (Óscar Rodríguez, 81'), Óliver Torres (Joan Jordán, 60'), Suso (Gudelj, 81'), Ocampos (De Jong, 77') and En-Nesyri.

1. REAL VALLADOLID CF: Masip, Hervías, Bruno, El Yamiq, Carnero, Roque Mesa (Sergi Guardiola, 73'), Fede San Emeterio (Jota, 61'), Orellana (Alcaraz, 61'), Óscar Plano (Míchel, 73'), Weissman (Toni Villa, 73') and Marcos André.

GOALS: 1-0, 31': Ocampos pen.; 1-1, 87': Raúl Carnero.

REFEREE: Jesús Gil Manzano. Yellows for Bruno, Fede San Emeterio, Orellana, Marcos André, Ocampos, Gudelj, De Jong.