Upon falling into the dreaded bottom three last weekend with the fewest points at this stage of a La Liga season since their 1999/2000 relegation, this clash against fellow strugglers Cádiz was of vital importance to Los Rojiblancos. They held an impressive 77% possession, with Érik Lamela taking up the mantle of Sevilla’s driving force towards the visitors’ goal. His first major involvement after 32 minutes was during the denial of what looked like a certain penalty, with Rubén Alcaraz committing a clumsy tackle inside the box as Lamela geared up to shoot. However, referee Alejandro Hernández was having none of it.
The Argentine was persistent, seeing an attempt on target parried away by Jeremías Ledesma from a tight angle before seemingly giving his side a hard-fought lead deep into time added on at the end of the half. He tucked in, with the help of the inside of the left post, from a first-time finish inside the area, but VAR correctly intervened to find the provider of the assist, Óliver Torres, offside in the build-up, and the opener was chalked off.
Seeking to not get swallowed up by the disappointment, the hosts began the second period just as strongly. Rakitić, who remains undefeated in three personal H2Hs with Ledesma, almost immediately got the better of the Piratas’ stopper at the end of a sweeping attack, but was denied by a fine save low in the bottom left corner. As a result of the breakthrough appearing so close yet also miles away, tensions began to flair for the desperate Jorge Sampaoli, culminating in the Sevilla head coach being sent to the stands.
Just as it seemed Ledesma’s saves would earn his side an unlikely 0-0 draw and a fourth clean sheet in seven La Liga away matches, all the away side’s hard work was undone in the 88th minute as Iván Alejo handled in the area to deny a clear goalscoring opportunity. The midfielder was shown a straight red, and Rakitić stepped up to slot the penalty into the bottom right corner, and in the process, lift Sevilla five places into 14th place.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Ivan Rakitić (Sevilla)
