Direct Chronicle
Better than Betis in a weak derby in the first half, Sevilla played well in the second half where José Luis Mendilibar’s men defeated a higher-ranked rival who, however, played a very discreet game. It was Joaquín’s last derby (27 disputed, the highest in history) that ended in a 0-0 draw as Sevilla failed to turn clear chances of victory into a better game for the Sevillistas. Sevilla had just played overtime in a European semi-final and the one who seemed to have played it was a Betis, unable to shoot between the three posts of the goal defended by Dmitrovic. Bad Betis and bad Miranda who saw a fair red card for a hard foul on Navas in the 87th minute. Betis played with a point less in the last 10 minutes and can be satisfied with a point that didn’t suit their game, but that allowed him almost to secure his place in the Europa League. Something they will achieve if they beat Getafe at their stadium next Wednesday. The locals are two points adrift of seventh place now occupied by Athletic, giving them the right to play in the Conference League.
0
Dmitrovic, Montiel (Jesús Navas, min. 82), Gudelj, Rekik, Alex Telles (Marcos Acuña, min. 82), Rakitic, Pape Alassane Gueye, Papu Gómez (Bryan Gil Salvatierra, min. 70), Lamela, Óliver Torres ( Suso, min. 49) and Rafa Mir (En-Nesyri, min. 70)
0
Bravo, Luiz Felipe, Sabaly, Abner, Pezzella, Luiz Henrique, Guido Rodríguez, William Carvalho (Paul Akouokou, min 70), Ayoze Pérez, Canales (Joaquín, min 80) and Borja Iglesias (Juanmi, min 65)
Goals
referee Jesus Gil Manzano
Yellow cards Luiz Henrique (min. 26), Montiel (min. 32), Rekik (min. 46) and Paul Akouokou (min. 82)
Red cards Juan Miranda (min. 86)
Sevilla left sad because they deserved the win. But it’s a side rebuilt by Mendilibar who have taken 20 of the last 27 points and were close to winning the derby with a side that has seen up to eight changes compared to those who played Juventus in the European semi-finals exhibited Sevilla had the virtue of being ambitious in the second half, with a final half-hour in which they deservedly won on the back of chances and approaches to the Verdiblanca box. Betis was saved and showed again that it is very difficult for him to play in the derbies, even if he is better placed. There are already nine league games without a win.
The official derby number 38 started quite boring. Curiously, Betis didn’t show the personality that usually accompanies Pellegrini’s orders. It was a side that seemed content to keep a clean sheet without having the guts to change the tempo and try to sink the catch into a Seville, even without much appeal. The Betic plan attracted attention, waiting for a mistake from the rival without crucial men like William Carvalho or Canales making a difference. Sevilla broke the non-aggression pact in the second half. Players like En-Nesyri and Suso came into play and Betis was saved by Bravo and the lack of aim from Mendilibar’s men. Miranda made a terrible tackle on Navas and saw the red card after the VAR notified Gil Manzano, who had basically only shown a yellow card. On the leg of Navas were the marks of Miranda’s pointless performance, who went to the Seville dressing room at the end of the game to apologize to the world champion.
Betis was able to last at least 13 minutes with a goal less and concede a draw they didn’t deserve. It is the team with the most dismissals in the entire league. “We competed and were closer to victory than Betis,” said Mendilibar. “It’s a very good point that allows us to keep our distance from Sevilla and get another point against Girona. “I repeat, the point is very good because we played 15 minutes and a minute less because of Miranda’s red card, which was clear,” stressed Manuel Pellegrini.
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