Only the VAR loosens Diego Alonso's rope, the worst shock in the history of Sevilla
Diego Alonso is already the worst disruptor in the history of Sevilla and only a providential appearance of the VAR kept him in office yesterday. Prieto Iglesias' call to Díaz de Mera, which only they themselves could justify, truncated Ben Brereton's goal, due to the Chilean's previous foul on Kike Salas. After six league games without victory, the coach's future seems more delicate every day at the Sánchez-Pizjuán. [Narrative and statistics (1-1)]
The joy had lasted a minute, which took Villarreal to take the center and José Luis Morales to take advantage of an indecision by Marko Dmitrovic. For one minute the fans were able to celebrate Kike Salas' goal, with a fabulous header, because Sevilla fell apart again for their fourth consecutive draw at home in the League. And Alonso was still able to thank the courtesy of Villarreal, cautious and functional, without the greed that would have opened, this time, Pandora's box in Nervión.
After a turbulent afternoon, full of alternatives and errors, Alonso rounded off a record that does not need further comment. Sevilla's last victory in the League dates back to September 17 (1-0 against Las Palmas), with the only respite being 0-3 in the Copa del Rey against Quintanar de la Orden, from the sixth category.. A victory for Alonso in 10 games. Demolition Man.
On the line of 99-00
Because after 90 minutes in which he never tired of encouraging his men from the technical area, the former Celeste coach looks into the abyss. The poor balance of his team, with 13 points, only five before the break, already has too many parallels with that of last year. And what is worse, with that disastrous 1999-2000 season, the one of relegation at the hands of Betis and Real Oviedo.
The pieces seem to be the same, although Alonso yesterday repeated the lineup that had committed suicide against PSV, with the exceptions of Juanlu and Nianzou in place of Jesús Navas and Sergio Ramos, who were sanctioned.. You feel so much electricity, so much drama, that Sevilla seems every minute on the verge of a nervous breakdown..
And the tension, which poisons everything, also comes from outside the green. While waiting for today's General Shareholders' Meeting, security measures had to be multiplied yesterday to avoid another unfortunate episode like the one experienced on Wednesday, with graffiti against José Castro and Carolina Alés, reported by José María del Nido Carrasco for crimes of incitement to hate. The increase in private security personnel and the placement of fences, increasingly removed from the team's access doors, also measure the temperature of the club.
Shouts and banners
Upon arrival at the stadium, Erik Lamela turned against a fan who had lied to his mother. When the stadium lights were turned on, the team was received amid divisions of opinion.. Two Biris Norte banners against the leadership reflected the tension: “No money, no transparency, no stability”; “Base camp in mediocrity”. The vast majority of the 33,898 spectators continued to cheer, at least while the ball was rolling. But the moment Díaz de Mera stopped the game, the proclamations left no room for doubt: “Directive, resign.”
Just before half-time Youssef En-Nesyri and Lucas Ocampos were able to score, with a double chance saved under the crossbar. As soon as he returned from the locker room, Dmitrovic saved a clear chance from Álex Baena and shortly after, Dodi Lukebakio missed a resounding chance at goalmouth. The exchange of blows mattered little, because that could not end well for Sevilla. At least the VAR loosened the noose around Alonso's neck.