Sevilla FC 0-1 Real Madrid
Real Madrid earned a crucial La Liga win in Andalusia tonight thanks to a big helping hand from Sevilla goalkeeper Bono.
While the hosts dominated much of the possession, they failed to puncture the Madrid defence, and their own efforts were undone when Bono spilled a Ferland Mendy cross into his own net. After two recent defeats head coach Zidane Zidane insisted he had the backing of the Real Madrid board and players, and he’ll be mightily relieved to pick up three points from an unconvincing performance.
The latest La Liga 2020 betting odds predict a tough season for Los Blancos, with odds of around 3.80 of retaining their league title, but if they have luck like they did today, then who knows?
Highlights of the game
Los Blancos put some early pressure on the Sevilla goal with Vincius Junior and Casemiro both firing shots in within the first five minutes, and Karim Benzema had a header from close range blocked. The hosts managed to weather the storm and have an effort of their own, Luuk de Jong rising to meet a cross from Joan Jordan but he directed his header wide.
The pace of the game slowed a little but Toni Kroos popped up with a shot from distance which whistled just past the post, after good work from Vinicius.
After a difficult start to the season Sevilla have found some momentum in recent weeks with three consecutive wins, and they started to get a foothold in the game, and had a good chance on the half hour when Munir El Haddadi drew a foul from Rodrygo. Jesus Navas swung in the cross and Jules Kounde won the header but it sailed wide. Then, after Lucas Ocampos slid the ball through to de Jong the Dutch striker shot over from a tight angle.
De Jong had the first attempt of the second half forcing Thibaut Courtois to make a smart save, but Los Blancos broke the deadlock on 55 minutes thanks to a howler from the Sevilla keeper. Ferland Mendy crossed from the left wing and Vinicius may have got the slightest of touches, but Bono failed to hold the ball and spilled it into the net.
Vinicius claimed the goal, but it was awarded to Bono as an own goal, either way it was a huge moment in the game.
Sevilla went on the attack and de Jong was close again when he met a Kounde cross, and Ivan Rakitic had a shot charged down. Real Madrid tried to put the game beyond reach but Nacho headed a Kroos centre over and, as the game became stretched, Suso let fly from outside the box but his effort flew over the bar. The attacking midfielder looked the most likely to equalise as he another shot deflected out for a corner by Kroos. The hosts piled on the pressure and Ocampos had a shot cleared for another corner, but the equaliser never came, and Los Blancos finished strongly with efforts from Kroos and Benzema.
Key Statistics
Sevilla had 63 per cent of the possession, a stat which says more about Real Madrid than their hosts, but while the Andalusians had 12 shots to Real Madrid’s ten, the visitors had three on target to Sevilla’s two.
The victory was Los Blancos’ first in four games, while Sevilla failed to win for the first time in four league matches.
What’s next?
With three points in the bag Real fans will be keeping a close eye on the La Liga 2020 updates, particularly from Madrid, where Atletico Madrid host struggling Real Valladolid.
A shock defeat to Alaves, last week, left Los Blancos seven points off the top and, crucially, six behind Atletico who have a game in hand. It’s the Madrid derby next week and that’s a gigantic game or both clubs. But before that Saturday night fixture, Los Blancos have some serious Champions League work to do. Having lost to Shakhtar Donetsk in midweek; they in third place in Group B and face leaders Borussia Monchengladbach, needing a win to be sure of progressing.
It’s another big week for the under pressure Real Madrid boss and we’ll be covering all the news and action right here at SBOTOP.
Meanwhile Julen Lopetegui takes his team to Rennes for their final Champions League Group E game. Sevilla have qualified for the knockout phases comfortably despite finding themselves on the end of a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Chelsea last week, Olivier Giroud scoring four. Then they return to La Liga action with a trip to Getafe, where their hosts are looking to end a run of six games without a victory.
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