Tag: Sevilla FC

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Europa specialists Sevilla send desperate Man United packing

Youssef En-Nesyri

Mueez Ajao

– Manchester United were dumped out of the Europa League quarter-finals following a dreadful second-leg performance in defeat by Sevilla.

– United were well below their best – creating almost nothing going forward, overrun in midfield and making two terrible mistakes in defence – as they exited Europe with a whimper.

– The Spanish side were gifted the lead after eight minutes when Youssef En-Nesyri finished following an awful error from Harry Maguire, and Sevilla doubled their advantage shortly after half time with a looping header from defender Loic Bade.

Also Read: Ten Hag wants Man United to control emotions vs Sevilla in second leg

– Sevilla’s win – and United’s humiliation – was complete nine minutes from time when En-Nesyri again capitalised on a shocking mistake, this time from goalkeeper David de Gea, to complete the win.

– Having been 2-0 up and cruising in the first leg at Old Trafford, Erik ten Hag’s side contrived to concede five times in the space of 90 minutes – two late own goals in Manchester and three times in Spain – to throw away their chance of European success.

Youssef En-Nesyri

– This was the first of a series of potentially season-defining games for United – they take on Brighton at Wembley in the FA Cup semi-finals on Sunday and face a key Premier League match at Tottenham on 27 April – and they completely failed this test.

– Sevilla meanwhile will play Juventus in a two-legged semi-final on 11 and 18 May. The Italian side beat Sporting 2-1 on aggregate in their quarter-final.

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Ten Hag wants Man United to control emotions vs Sevilla in second leg

Erik Ten Hag

Mueez Ajao

– Erik ten Hag has warned his Manchester United players to learn their lesson and keep their cool against Sevilla if they want to book a place in the Europa League semifinals.

– Ten Hag was critical of Antony following the quarterfinal first leg at Old Trafford, accusing the winger of helping to “warm up” Sevilla by getting involved in a spat with Marcos Acuna which eventually provoked the Spanish side’s fight-back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 during a frantic final six minutes.

– Sevilla will have the support of 45,000 fans at Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium on Thursday night and Ten Hag has said his team will need to manage the intense atmosphere if they are going to progress.

Also Read: Europa League kings Sevilla fight back to earn draw at Old Trafford

– “Emotion, you have to use it as a tool and the timing of it is important, and in big games especially, when you use it and definitely not,” Ten Hag told a news conference on Wednesday.

– “So focus on the game, focus on the best game you can as team and individual.”

– United were 2-0 up inside 20 minutes in the first leg after Marcel Sabitzer’s double, before being pegged back by two own goals from Tyrell Malacia and Harry Maguire.

– “It is clear that it is a tie of two legs,” said Ten Hag.

– “We played over 60 minutes quite well and the last 30 minutes we became passive. It is not acceptable, we know that, you see when you only play a game for 60 minutes you get punished.”

– United have been boosted for the trip to Spain after Marcus Rashford, Luke Shaw, Sabitzer and Malacia were passed fit to travel.

– Lisandro Martinez has been ruled out for the rest of the season and Raphael Varane is also sidelined, leaving Ten Hag to pick a centre-back combination from Shaw, Maguire and Victor Lindelof.

– “I will take my decisions tomorrow [Thursday],” said Ten Hag, who is also preparing for an FA Cup semifinal against Brighton at Wembley on Sunday.

– “Today, we had training, we will see what the reaction is and we will take the decision. All the players, you want to keep all the players fit, so that is the objective. The main objective is to win the game.

– “[Rashford] had one session with the team, but he had some sessions before individually.”

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Sevilla coach Mendilibar admits Rashford is ‘one of the best players’

Jose Luis Mendilibar

Mueez Ajao

– Manchester United and England forward Marcus Rashford is “one of the best players” around, says Sevilla boss Jose Luis Mendilibar.

– Rashford could return from a groin injury for United’s Europa League quarter-final return leg with Sevilla.

– The tie is delicately poised at 2-2 after United conceded two late goals in the first leg at Old Trafford.

Also Read: Europa League kings Sevilla fight back to earn draw at Old Trafford

– “We’re not going to change our mentality or idea if Rashford plays or not,” Mendilibar said.

– He added: “Well, Rashford is one of the best players nowadays. We have to think about ourselves, respecting the opposite team but we don’t have to think about particular players.

– “If Rashford plays, it’s because he’s ready. If he’s not, another top player will play there.”

– Sevilla have won the Europa League on a record six occasions.

– They went 2-0 behind at Old Trafford before staging a late comeback as Tyrell Malacia and Harry Maguire scored own goals.

– “If I have to be honest, it’s not an easy game,” added Mendilibar about Thursday’s second leg.

– “It’s going to be a tough game. For me, we are tied 50-50. It’s true that the fans will help us but on the pitch it’s going to be 11 versus 11 players.”

– The winners will play Juventus or Sporting Lisbon in a two-legged semi-final on 11 and 18 May. Juventus lead 1-0 from the first leg in Italy.

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Europa League kings Sevilla fight back to earn draw at Old Trafford

Jesus Navas

Mueez Ajao

– Manchester United were left stunned by two late own goals as Sevilla rescued a 2-2 draw at Old Trafford in the first leg of their Europa League quarterfinal on Thursday.

– Marcel Sabitzer scored twice, seven minutes apart, in the first half after through balls from Bruno Fernandes and Anthony Martial to put United in control of the match and seemingly the tie ahead of next week’s second leg in Spain.

– But a bizarre own goal from Tyrell Malacia in the 84th minute put Sevilla back in the running after the United left-back turned a Jesus Navas cross into his own net off David de Gea.

Also Read: Man United forward Rashford ruled out for few games

– Things then went from bad to worse for the home side, who were forced to go down to 10 men when Lisandro Martinez had to be carried off with an injury.

Marcus Acuna, Lisandro Martinez and Gonzalo Montiel

– Sevilla capitalised further in the second minute of stoppage time as Youssef En-Nesyri’s header traveled straight onto the head of unwitting substitute Harry Maguire to take the ball on target and past the bewildered De Gea.

Harry Maguire

– There was more worrying news for Erik ten Hag’s side, with Fernandes picking up a yellow card that means he will be suspended for the second leg and Martinez’s fellow centre-back Raphael Varane also forced off with a knock at half-time.

Raphael Varane
Bruno Fernandes

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Sevilla sack coach Sampaoli ahead of Man United showdown in Europa League

Jorge Sampaoli

Mueez Ajao

– Sevilla have sacked Argentine coach Jorge Sampaoli with the club two points above the La Liga relegation zone.

– The former Chile and Argentina coach, 63, joined Sevilla in October for a second stint in charge.

– They have lost five of their past seven matches and are currently 14th in the table.

Also Read: Sevilla De-pay the price in Atlético romping

– However, they have made it into the quarter-finals of the Europa League and will face Manchester United over two legs next month.

– Sampaoli’s last game in charge was a 2-0 defeat by fellow strugglers Getafe which leaves them on on 28 points with 12 games left.

– Sevilla said they are “already working on recruiting a new coach as soon as possible”.

– Their first game after the international break is at 15th-placed Cadiz on Saturday, 1 April.

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Sevilla De-pay the price in Atlético romping

Memphis Depay

Mueez Ajao

– Dutch striker Memphis Depay shone in his first start for Atletico Madrid as he scored twice in a 6-1 thrashing of Sevilla, who were reduced to 10 men late on, in LaLiga on Saturday.

Memphis Depay

– Substitute Alvaro Morata also bagged a brace as Atletico seized the opportunity to go third after Real Sociedad drew at home 0-0 against lowly Cadiz on Friday, leapfrogging the Basque side in the standings and climbing to 45 points.

– “La Real” are now fourth on 44 points, while holders Real Madrid are second on 52 points, seven behind leaders Barcelona on 59 points, both with a game in hand.

Also Read: Griezmann strike edges Atlético past Bilbao

– Winless in their last three games, Sevilla are 16th on 25 points, only one point clear of the relegation zone.

– Depay gave Atletico a two-goal lead with strikes in the 23th and 26th minutes, before Youssef En Nesyri hit back for Sevilla from close-range in the 39th.

Memphis Depay

– Antoine Griezmann extended Atletico’s advantage after the break with a brilliant shot from range.

Antoine Griezmann and Alvaro Morata

– Yannick Carrasco in the 69th minute and substitute Morata in the 76th and 92nd minutes delivered the final blows to a sorry Sevilla, who had Papa Alassane Gueye sent off in the 81st minute after receiving his second yellow card of the match.

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Barca thrash Sevilla to go eight points clear of Madrid

Raphinha

Mueez Ajao

– Barcelona extended their LaLiga lead to eight points thanks to second-half goals by Jordi Alba, Gavi and Raphinha that gave them a 3-0 home win against Sevilla on Sunday.

Raphinha

– The locals were in control from the beginning but managed to score only after the break when substitute Franck Kessie set up Alba inside the box to slot in a first-touch strike to the goalkeeper’s left.

Jordi Alba

– Twelve minutes later, Raphinha sped down the right and delivered a perfect low cross to Gavi who tapped it in.

Pablo Gavi

Also Read: Asensio misses penalty as Mallorca give Madrid ‘real shock’

– Raphinha got the third goal in the 79th with a point-blank strike from an Alba cross.

Raphinha

– Barca top the standings on 53 points, eight ahead of second-placed Real and 14 above third-placed Real Sociedad. Sevilla, who have won only five of their 20 LaLiga games this season, are 16th on 21 points, two above the relegation zone.

FC Barcelona

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Sevilla terminate Isco contract after just four months

Isco Alarcon

Mueez Ajao

– Sevilla have announced that midfielder Isco has left the club, mutually terminating his contract after less than five months.

– Isco, who has played 38 times for Spain, joined Sevilla eager to revive his career, having been a fringe player at Real Madrid in recent seasons.

– However, the 30-year-old scored one goal in 19 appearances for Sevilla, and since the arrival of head coach Jorge Sampaoli in October, he has seen his playing time drastically reduced.

Also Read: OFFICIAL: Isco signs for Sevilla

– His contract at Sevilla had been due to run until June 2024, but was brought to an early end on Wednesday.

– The club said in a statement: “Sevilla FC and Isco Alarcon have agreed to terminate the contract that united both parties since the player from Malaga joined the Nervionense club last summer after finishing his spell at Real Madrid…The club wants to wish Isco all the luck in the world in his new professional challenges.”

– Sevilla have endured a difficult campaign, winning only two, drawing five and losing seven of their opening 14 league games. They are 18th in LaLiga.

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Man City condemn racist abuse of Rico Lewis by Sevilla fans

Rico Lewis

Mueez Ajao

– Manchester City have condemned racist abuse aimed at 17-year-old goalscorer Rico Lewis by Sevilla fans during the Champions League win over the Spaniards at Etihad Stadium on Wednesday.

– City said two arrests have been made and police and the club are investigating.

– “We will not tolerate discrimination of any kind at our stadium,” City said.

Also Read: Guardiola lauds Lewis after record-breaking debut in Champions League

– “We will be offering our full support to Rico following these vile incidents.”

– Lewis marked his full debut by driving home the Blues’ equaliser in their 3-1 group-stage win over Sevilla.

– The goal ensured Bury-born Lewis, who has been promoted through the City academy after joining the club aged eight, eclipsed Karim Benzema as the youngest player to score on his first start in the Champions League.

– It should have been the perfect start for the teenager, who was singled out for praise by manager Pep Guardiola immediately after the match.

– “We don’t give presents here,” said Guardiola. “He had to earn it, The people love players from the academy but we see him every day. We know he has quality and I am really happy for him.”

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City’s kids overcome Sevilla at Etihad

Rico Lewis

Mueez Ajao

– Seventeen-year-old Rico Lewis scored on his full Manchester City debut as the Blues came from behind to beat Sevilla in their final Champions League group game.

– City were trailing to a first-half header from former Wolves and Nottingham Forest striker Rafa Mir when Lewis strode on to Julian Alvarez’s pass seven minutes after the break and drove a powerful shot past Yassine Bounou.

– It was a moment Lewis will remember for the rest of his life and the joy on his face as he celebrated was something to behold.

Rico Lewis

Also Read: Guardiola gives Haaland injury update after City striker misses Leicester win

– But if the young full-back needed a reminder of the sustained quality required to make it at City, he got it through a superb curling pass from substitute Kevin de Bruyne for the Blues’ second, which went around the back of the Sevilla defence and sent Alvarez running clear.

Julian Alvarez

– Riyad Mahrez wrapped up the scoring seven minutes from time.

– City are now unbeaten in 23 Champions League games at the Etihad Stadium and, with prolific front-man Erling Haaland watching from the stands and Kyle Walker and Kalvin Phillips to return from injury, no-one will relish facing them when the competition resumes in February.