Match reports

0-0: SEVILLA HELD TO A DRAW IN VILLANUEVA DE LA SERENA, THE TIE NOW UP FOR GRABS IN SÁNCHEZ-PIZJUÁN

01/11/2018

With almost no clear-cut chances during the whole match, Sevilla drew 0-0 against Villanovense in a tough match, marked by the poor condition of the pitch, which prevented both teams from moving the ball around smoothly

Villanovense and Sevilla played out an unspectacular match this Thursday afternoon in the round of 32 of the Copa del Rey, as Sevilla got their cup campaign underway. The Sevilla players went out with the intention of taking control of the game but the flow of the game and the difficult pitch of the Municipal de Villanovense prevented them from doing so, leaving the tie very much open for the second leg.

The first half was a back-and-forth affair, with Sevilla having a few occasions to get into the opposition half. Promes had a shot from the edge of the box, which was deflected for a corner, which was one of the two better chances in the first 45 minutes for the team from Nervión. The other fell to Muriel minutes later, who despite being off balance after a pass in behind, managed to get his shot off, striking Gea's left-hand post. The players who stood out for Sevilla were the hard-working Promes and Javi Vázquez, whose incisiveness down the left a good impression on his debut.

However, it was the home side that had the best chance to go in front, after Juan Soriano misjudged a cross, giving Pajuelo an opportunity inside the six-yard box to head home, which he put over the bar. Pajuelo also had an opportunity on a Villanovense counter-attack but his weak shot did not trouble Soriano in the Sevilla goal.

Muriel had the biggest chance with a shot that hit the post

After the break, Sevilla looked more comfortable and tried to dominate the game but, despite a shot from Borja Lasso which brought Gea into action, they created few dangerous situations. The minutes went by, with Sevilla losing control of the game due to interruptions and substitutions.

There were only two more shots of note, a long-ranged effort from Muriel which went over the bar and an effort from Promes which hit the post. Sevilla now have it all to play for in the home match in December at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán.

MATCH SUMMARY

0. VILLANOVENSE: Gea, Márquez, Tapia, Romero (Leandro, 80'), Javi Sánchez, Espín, Pajuelo, Selfa (Borja García, 63'), Montero, Puerto (Poley, 85') y Carrasco.

0. SEVILLA FC: Juan Soriano, Aleix Vidal, Javi Vázquez, Escudero, Gnagnon, Amadou, Roque Mesa, Borja Lasso (Mena, 77'), Nolito, Muriel y Promes.

OFFICIAL: Iglesias Villanueva. Yellows for Javi Sánchez, Nolito, Selfa, Muriel, Mena and Montero.