Sevilla is still in the UCI

Girona was not able to leave a clean sheet for another week, but nobody in Montilivi cared. They left happy, with three points worked and being better than their rival. A Sevilla that went wrong in the game, at the beginning and in the second part, and that was the victim of his own mistakes. Between Fernando and Nianzou they gave away too many balls to the locals, who, however, had to wait until 88′ to certify the victory. Seventh day without losing for a Girona on the rise that nips in the bud the incipient recovery of the Sevillistas.

Girona’s brilliant start revealed a sleepy Sevilla, unable to play with the ball, totally overwhelmed by the high pressure from the Catalans. Up to four times, two very clear, that between Bono and the poor aim of Romeu, Iván Martín and Riquelme they did not become a goal. Two steals from Fernando and a bad pass from Nianzou were the triggers for the local options, predicting a bad afternoon for the Sevilla central defenders.

And yet, in the first shot option that Sevilla had, came the first goal of the match. At 13 minutes already stopped ball. Rakitic served an exquisite ball to the head of Nianzou who, coming in from behind, hit an unappealable shot. A better goal executed by the visitors than poorly defended by Girona, but which completely changed the game script.

From then on, Sevilla played with much more confidence, began to come out judiciously and, in fact, could have hurt Girona. Míchel’s men did not change their plan one iota, overflowing on the wing and looking inside for Stuani and Riquelme, but their options were no longer as clear as at the beginning. Sampaoli’s men lacked a point of freshness in the counterattacks, especially Oliver Torres, on a couple of occasions that started with an advantage. With Rafa Mir more participatory and Fernando arriving in the area, the match was already much more even.

But Sevilla made, after the break, the same mistake as at the beginning: leaving with little tension. And Girona forgave him once, but not twice. Iván Martín won a ball behind the defense, combined with Toni Villa and he put a ball into the heart of the area for Stuani. And, like so many other afternoons in Montilivi, the Uruguayan did not fail. Not even 50 seconds of the second part had been played and the score was even again.

Stuani’s goal opened the game a lot, with a Girona that did not give up on continuing to attack, even at the risk of splitting. He maintained greater control of the game and possession, but did not worry Bono. Sevilla opted for a more conservative position, ordered at the back and with little offensive capacity. Neither Mir nor Torres posed a threat to Gazzaniga. Yangel Herrera, with a header, was close to scoring the second in minute 78′ and Stuani, a minute later, had a ball into an empty goal to put his team ahead. He failed to connect the shot.

And it is that he had to wait until 88 ‘, but Girona achieved the victory goal. Work of Yangel Herrera, with an exquisite Vaseline, but thanks to Nianzou. The Sevilla centre-back, who had already lost a very compromised ball in the first half, did the same after cutting back under pressure from Valery. A terrible mistake, in concept and execution, that cost his team the defeat.