A long shot from Rakitic gave Sevilla the tie against a Betis team that played better, but could not convert its dominance into goals.. “Directive, resignation” was the farewell song of Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán after the final whistle. [Narrative and statistics (1-1)]
Isco, with a header, and Guido Rodríguez, tested Dmitrovic in the first three minutes of the game. Sevilla responded with height, with Rakitic stepping into the rival area and Lucas Ocampos fighting for all the balls. The match started intense, clean and even. With an unexpected and cumbersome beauty.
Isco asked for the spotlight and his talent unevented the clash. Diego Alonso's men, for not changing their custom, were unable to finish the plays. Never has so much pressure generated so little danger. Fran Vieites, the reserve team's goalkeeper who started after the injuries of Claudio Bravo and Rui Silva, barely stained his gloves in the first half.
En-Nesyri was shipwrecked in the rival area and Óliver Torres did not give sanity to what was only self-absorbed verticality. Betis, much more practical, did flirt with the goal. In the 34th minute, a magical pass from Isco to Miranda froze the Sánchez-Pizjuán. The winger arrived in time and shot low, but Dmitrovic took a providential foot at the last moment.
Where Pellegrini wanted
The break came with the green and white team more organized and harmonious. Marc Roca and Guido Rodríguez provided solidity and Ayoze and Isco provided the unpredictable. Meanwhile, Diego Alonso waved his arms on the sideline and looked at the grass like someone watching a David Lynch movie on television: Very attentive, almost fascinated, but without understanding at all what was happening inside.. Sevilla was grateful for the refreshment.
The Nervionenses were more energetic in the early stages of the second half, but Ayoze soon calmed the enthusiasm by sending a ball to the post. A few minutes later, the canary again worried the red and white fans.. He squirmed on the cheek of the area and ended up shooting with power. Dmitrovic, well positioned, repelled the shot. In the absence of goldsmithing, Gudelj tried to contain the visitors with distant and harmless shots. The encounter was where Pellegrini wanted it.
The mistake of Dmitrovic
Lukebakio replaced Torres. Abde and Abner entered for Diao and Miranda. The hosts wanted to liven up the game, the guests just cradle it, maintain the cadence, make it definitively theirs. But it was Dmitrovic who paved the way to victory for the Green and Whites. In the 71st minute, Isco crossed into the small area. Dmitrovic went for the ball badly, troubled, with a fist, softly, and left the ball dead at the feet of Ayoze, who had an easy time scoring the goal.
In the absence of architecture, Sevilla found Rakitic. Enraged, he tamed a ball on the outskirts of the area and shot with conviction and pride. The ball was approaching the net and away from Vieites, whose stretch was insufficient. The Croatian celebrated the goal angrily, with fierce relief. The tie, which was instantaneous, resurrected the stands.
Sevilla closed well and Betis no longer had the muscle to do any more. The tie was worth the away team and, given the game, it was enough reward for the home team.. Pelligrini's satisfaction made Alonso's performance pale, who still hasn't won in the League with Sevilla.