Sevilla vs Madrid, La Liga (3-2): Match review

Real Madrid began this match in imperious fashion as they dominated possession of the ball and were creating good chances. First Pepe looked up and played a fantastic long pass over the Sevilla defence to find Ronaldo in the area and whose shot was blocked wide of the post. From the resulting corner Nacho hit a volley from 25 yards which smacked into the post and the stand-in left-back was unfortunate not to have himself two goals in as many games. Sevilla weren't really looking like they were ready for this match as Modric, Kroos and Isco were being afforded far too much space in midfield by the likes of N'Zonzi and Krychowiak. Eventually the pressure that Madrid had mounted told as another corner kick found captain Sergio Ramos who directed the ball into the back of Sevilla's net via spectacular bicycle kick. However, in doing so he injured his shoulder and had to be replaced a few minutes later by Raphael Varane.

Madrid taking the lead effectively acted as a wake-up call for Sevilla who instantly began pressing harder and applying more pressure on Real's midfielders. Konoplyanka was causing problems for Danilo and it was through his dangerous corner ball that Sevilla's equaliser arrived. Kiko Casilla was caught ball watching as the cross evaded everyone only to find Ciro Immobile free at the back post to slam home. The goal lifted the atmosphere in the Ramon Sánchez Pízjuan and the intensity increased too. The score was now even and so was the balance of play. Sevilla nearly scored a second goal after a speedy move on the left wing resulted in a wicked ground cross that first Konoplyanka and then Immobile weren't able to contact properly. Luka Modric also did excellently to lunge and stick a vital toe on the ball to stop a Sevilla attack. Madrid however were still looking dangerous themselves as Bale registered 5 shots in the first half alone and Casemiro had a long-range effort that only just went wide as that was the last chance of the first period.

At the start of the second half Kroos was in a decent position outside of the box to fire a snap shot just over whilst Konoplyanka did the same at the other end in a similar position after a strong dribble. For the next 10 minutes Madrid essentially kept possession but without creating anything of note as Sevilla kept patient with their discipline in defence. Then, they pounced. Once again, it stemmed from the excellent quality of man of the match Yevhen Konoplyanka as his piercing dribble cut through the Madrid defence and his cut-back found Ever Banega who was inexplicably allowed to poke home after he was surrounded by three Madrid defenders. From then on it was all Madrid as they rained down on the Sevilla goal but without any success. Ronaldo - who had another shocker - frustrated by not passing to Modric in space instead choosing to shoot wide. That was a chance that could easily have been the equaliser. Rather it was Casemiro coming closest as he forced a world class save from Sergio Rico with a powerful header.

Then, against the run of play, Sevilla scored their third goal after a great supporting run on the right hand side by Sevilla right-back Mariano who crossed perfectly for Llorente who had just come on a substitute for Immobile to head home. Pepe lost his man and Los Blancos were looking in disarray. Sevilla kept coming and shooting as Casilla finally made a couple of decent saves. Danilo was tortured all game by Konoplyanka and perhaps the injured Dani Carvajal would have dealt with him better. Jesé came into the game but with little effect today. In the 82nd minute the embarrassment increased as olés were being chanted by the Sevilla faithful as their team knocked it about with ease inside the Madrid box. Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale were not pressing hard enough from the front. In stoppage time, James who had earlier come in for Isco struck a late goal across Rico from just outside the area yet it counted for naught as Los Blancos slipped to their first league defeat of the season.

Quite a number of factors contributed to this loss for Real Madrid. Weak one on one defending, a lack of effort and precision from the forwards and reduced intensity in the midfield in the second half. Another story of the game was five shots on target and 3 goals for Sevilla whereas Madrid attempted 27 shots throughout the match. Rafael Benítez's tactics were not effective and he seemed a bit lost for ideas after Madrid fell behind. The style of play and team set-up was not altered to affect and deal with the situation. All told, yet another sobering encounter at the Ramon Sánchez Pízjuan for the side from the capital. Now we look ahead to the Clásico with Barcelona in two weeks time. Real will now go into the match 3 points behind in the league and in need of a crucial victory. However, they'll do so in worse form having lost by 3 goals to 2 tonight whilst Barca beat Villarreal 3-0 earlier on in the day.