The expected reunion between Sergio Ramos and Real Madrid offered a distribution of points that did not leave anyone happy, although Sevilla were a little more satisfied. The whites have the consolation of making sure they are in front of Barcelona in next Saturday’s Montjuïc classic.
We didn’t expect anything other than a rough and warrior game at the Sánchez Pizjuán and that’s how it was, very tense, full of back and forth and conflicting opportunities and plays. Ramos and Rüdiger, who had not come to agree at the Bernabéu, had to be brave in the areas, starring in pushes and challenging each other with looks that kill. The Andalusian got to grab the German by the neck and things didn’t get worse because his former teammates got him out of there. Towards the end there was even a scuffle for a push from Vinícius on Nyland, and right after that Ancelotti replaced the Brazilian with the classic in mind.
Ramos’ game was very complete. Kepa prevented him from celebrating a goal in the 80th minute after a great save from the Andalusian’s header in the box. Then another header to the added went too high.
Madrid showed up at Nervión with the expected team, with Luka Modric once again on the bench; Tchouaméni, Valverde, Kroos and Bellingham in the center of the field and the attacking duo of Vinícius and Rodrygo.
To stop the Whites, Sevilla’s new manager Diego Alonso put up a brave game, placing his defensive line far forward and turning the center of the pitch into a crowded battle.
Unlike other matches, in this one Madrid started very focused and scored two goals early on, both well canceled out by De Burgos Bengoetxea, a referee that Madrid has in the spotlight and one of the most criticized in their official media.
The first goal came after three minutes on a shot from Valverde, but it didn’t count because Bellingham was offside for having his heel further forward than the defender. The second play offered less doubt. After an elbow from Rüdiger that left Ocampos on the ground, Madrid mounted a very quick counterattack that ended with Bellingham’s goal. You can’t actually talk about a disallowed goal, because the Basque referee had blown his whistle long before to attend to the Argentinian striker and the play was stopped while Vinícius went like a bullet towards the opponent’s goal.
In any case, the two plays left Madrid very tired and gave way to a Sevilla that balanced the match and had several chances in a row, the clearest with a shot from Rakitic that Carvajal took with his head over the bar. line
Madrid responded with a shot from Rüdiger’s cannon that Ramos also took under the posts with the goalkeeper already beaten. De Burgos did not whistle for a corner. In the 43rd Madrid protested a push from Navas to Vinicíus inside the Seville area which also came to nothing.
The second half was played at a much slower pace, which was logical after the wear and tear of the first half. Madrid came out more dominant and Rodrygo had the first opportunity in the 56th, but Nyland avoided his shot. The Brazilian is in the middle of a black night. He has not scored since his debut in the League.
Once the hour had passed, Ancelotti shuffled the bench and introduced a double change in the middle of the field. Modric and Camavinga entered for Valverde and Tchouaméni. The goals came very late. In the 74th, a cross from the side of Sevilla was finished off by Alaba without wanting to go into his own goal. It didn’t take long for Madrid to equalize and they did so thanks to a great header from Carvajal.
The match died just as tense, with both teams angry and going from area to area. It is the first draw for the Whites in the League. A match that could both win and lose.
