A painful defeat (2-0)
The team couldn’t win the derby
Real Betis lost today against Sevilla. The Green-and-White team wasn’t able to beat its rival, that didn’t play a good match either. The game was decided with two isolated plays in the second half.
The team started with some changes in the line-up, with Bruno acting as a right back. Both teams began testing the rival, with huge intensity coming from the two sides. Step by step, Betis won the possession and the match developed at Sevilla’s side of the pitch at this stage. The first clear chance, though, came for the home team. Gameiro made a run on the left and delivered a cross towards Mariano, whose header went high.
Halfway through the first half, the home team shook the pressure off and began to have more possession. On the other hand, Betis took a step backwards and tried to counterattack. However, not much happened before half time.
The second half started in a similar way, although Betis was showing a better image. The first chance, actually, was for the away team. Cejudo shot a volley that Rico deflected with his fingertips. In that corner kick, Westermann shot from inside the box, but his effort went wide. Even if Betis was better at this stage, it was Sevilla the team which scored. N’Zonzi delivered a cross from the left that was deflected by a defender. The ball fell to Gameiro, who just had to head it in.
Merino made some changes then, trying to widen the attacking options of his team, so Van Wolfswinkel came on to replace Joaquín. The team tried to push forward, and it did, but then Sevilla scored again. Coke received the ball just outside the box and shot a good effort from distance that went in by the post. At the end of the game, Betis lost a game that was decided in two isolated plays.
Sevilla FC: Sergio Rico, Mariano, Carriço, Kolo, Escudero, Krychowiak, N’Zonzi, Banega (Iborra 81), Reyes (Coke 76), Konoplyanka (Krohn-Dehli 68), Gameiro.
Goals: 1-0. Gameiro (66).
2-0. Coke (80).
Booked: Banega (8), Gameiro (49), Reyes (65), Mariano (88).
Real Betis Balompié: Adán, Pezzella, Westermann, Bruno, Montoya, Joaquín (Van Wolfswinkel 69), Petros (Fabián 81), N’Diaye, Dani Ceballos, Musonda (Cejudo 51), Rubén Castro.
Booked: Musonda (13), Pezzella (33), Cejudo (57), Westermann (78).