Sevilla boss Jorge Sampaoli proved the ‘master of substitutions’ once again on Saturday with a key switch that not only earned his side a come-from-behind win over Real Betis but boosted his reputation as one of the most wanted coaches in Europe. Sampaoli’s stock has risen sharply this season with Sevilla on track for their best league finish in eight years and on course to reach the Champions League quarters for the first time after their win over Leicester City in the last 16 first leg.
Category: Pablo Sarabia
Sevilla rises to top of La Liga with comeback at Betis
His team trailing against its fiercest rival, coach Jorge Sampaoli orchestrated a 2-1 comeback at Real Betis that lifted Sevilla to the top of the Spanish league on Saturday. Substitute Vicente Iborra got the winning goal in the 75th minute to silence the Benito Villamarin Stadium following Gabriel Mercado’s equalizer.
Sevilla turns focus to another key game _ the Betis derby
After its 2-1 win over Leicester on Wednesday put the club in a strong position to reach the quarterfinals of the Champions League for the first time in nearly 60 years, Sevilla started preparing for Saturday’s derby against crosstown rival Real Betis. Victory will give fans bragging rights, and keep Sevilla alive in the race for the Spanish league title, which would be the team’s first in more than 70 years.
Messi scores 5th goal in 6 games as Barcelona beats Eibar
With Lionel Messi’s fifth goal in six games this year, Barcelona comfortably defeated Eibar 4-0 on Sunday to keep pace with leaders Real Madrid and Sevilla at the halfway point of the Spanish league. Substitute Denis Suarez, Uruguay striker Luis Suarez and Brazil forward Neymar also scored as the defending champions cruised to victory in the Basque Country to finish the first half of the season two points behind Madrid and one behind Sevilla.
Ramos sees reverse in fortunes as Real’s record run ends
Sergio Ramos has so often been Real Madrid’s man of the moment but the captain saw the tables turn as his own goal helped his former club Sevilla to a 2-1 win over the La Liga leaders on Sunday, ending a record-breaking 40-game unbeaten run. The Real defender’s reputation for rescuing his team in their hour of need took a twist when he headed Pablo Sarabia’s floated free-kick past his own goalkeeper Keylor Navas in the 85th minute to cancel out Cristiano Ronaldo’s penalty.