Absolute disaster at Sánchez Pizjuán. Sevilla allowed themselves to come back from a match they had won against PSV Eindhoven and say goodbye to the Champions League after a performance that leaves many questions to be resolved. In sporting terms, Diego Alonso’s men were not only fighting to stay alive in the top continental competition. Even third place to play in at least the Europa League, that competition with a special color, was in danger. But there remains a glimmer of light. If they beat Lens on the last day they will be guaranteed participation to compete in the second continental competition of which they are current champions.
Even so, Castro and Del Nido Carrasco regretted the defeat in the box. Although both have had enough of defending Diego Alonso, inside they are already beginning to think that perhaps they were hasty in firing Mendilibar two months ago. Since then, Sevilla has only won one game in the Cup against the modest Quintanar. Who knows if they will have to give explanations at the shareholders meeting that will be held next Monday. The Pizjuán, half empty, ended up giving everyone a loud whistle.
It is difficult to explain how Sevilla allowed themselves to come back from a game they had won. The match started knowing that it was last in the group made up of Arsenal and Lens. But the calculator also said that, if they won the last two group games, they would be mathematically second as they would have to play precisely against the two rivals with whom they tied in this phase of the competition. It was better to win.
With this panorama, against PSV, Luuk de Jong and Sergiño Dest signed one of the best first halfs for Sevilla since the arrival of Diego Alonso to the bench. He conceded little in his field and had chances to score more than one goal. Only Sergio Ramos got on the scoreboard, with a lucky shot on a set piece. Camas’ goal is the 10,000th in the history of the Champions League. And the first he scored for Sevilla since he scored against Real Madrid on May 14, 2005. Ramos kissed the Sevilla shield to celebrate. Then they disallowed another one from Sow due to a previous handball, and En-Nesyri closed the first half by warning with a shot against the crossbar. Dmitrovic between the sticks did his bit by pulling out a spectacular hand to prevent Lozano from equalizing.
Everything changed in the second half. Although En-Nesyri scored the second, Sevilla’s energy ran out, as they appeared with the oldest eleven ever fielded in a Champions League match with an average age of 32 years and 19 days. Lucas Ocampos finished off the mess, who saw two yellow cards in three minutes. The first for an absurd grab. The second because the Argentine over-braked, taking Vertessen ahead. His expulsion marked a turning point.
With this panorama, PSV revived. Saibari finished Dest’s lateral cross almost with his back turned. The ball went into the top corner. Vertessen scored 2-1 with a header with the help of Gudelj who touched the ball accidentally. The third and final one, the one that left Sevilla out of everything, was scored by Pepi with a header. He turned his neck and hit a shot at Vertessen’s near post. The quarter did not arrive by miracle.
