Mounting a stellar comeback on Saturday evening, Real Madrid drew a line under their four-match losing run away from the Bernabeu as they claimed a 2-1 victory against Sevilla.
While Rafa Mir might have handed Los Nervionenses a stunning lead after just three minutes, Carlo Ancelotti’s makeshift squad certainly came roaring back as Brazilian international Rodrygo bagged a classy brace on either side of the half-time break.
Although Los Blancos might have endured a torrid run since returning from the World Cup’s festive interval, the now-former Spanish champions would have simply been relieved to have claimed an away day boost this weekend.
Losing each of their last four away appearances across all competitions before making the trip to Andalusia, Sevilla will know that they don’t have much time to feel sorry for themselves following a shock collapse on home soil.
With a Europa League final showdown against Roma now just a few days away, Jose Luis Mendilibar’s men were not helped when 31-year-old Marcus Acuna was shown a straight red card in the final eight minutes.
In what was an action-packed affair from Andalusia on Saturday evening, we have taken a look at the key talking points.
Los Blancos draw a line under their away day rut
Long since accepting that they would not be able to defend their La Liga crown in 2023, Ancelotti’s side have come under a huge amount of scrutiny since returning from the World Cup’s winter break.
Crashing out of the Champions League on May 17th following a 5-1 aggregate defeat at the hands of Premier League giants Manchester City, the one-time AC Milan boss has also seen his star-studded squad gain a reputation for their issues on the road.
Putting in a nightmare display at the Etihad earlier in the month as they were hit with a 4-0 second-leg drumming on foreign soil, Los Blancos had certainly gained a reputation for some continued struggles away from the Bernabeu.
Despite claiming Madrid bragging rights in midweek as they picked up a 2-1 victory against local rivals Rayo Vallecano, Saturday’s guests had lost each of their last four straight appearances on the road.
Along with signing off April with a remarkable 4-2 defeat against Girona, Ancelotti’s squad would have simply been happy to have drawn a line under their nightmare away record at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.
Sevilla have bigger fish to fry
Taking the lead after just three minutes and with many feeling that Sevilla had the chance to spring a heavyweight upset on Saturday evening, there is no doubt that Sevilla would have been disappointed after missing out on a golden chance here.
However, while Jose Luis Mendilibar’s side might have suffered a real collapse on home soil, Los Nervionenses undoubtedly have their attention focused elsewhere.
Making even more Europa League history on May 18th as they punched their final ticket after edging past Italian icons Juventus thanks to a 3-2 aggregate victory, Sevilla have now placed all of their eggs in the European basket.
Enduring a string of public issues prior to the World Cup’s festive break, Saturday’s hosts know that Europa League success will be the only opportunity they have in order to book another European adventure for next season.
Despite failing to pick up what would have been some stellar momentum here, Sevilla will quickly dust themselves down before they travel out to Budapest in a few days time for their date with Destiny against Roma.
Rodrygo steals the show
Arriving at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on Saturday evening without either Vinicius Junior or Karim Benzema in their match-day squad, Rodrygo would have known that he had plenty of expectations on his shoulders in Seville.
While Los Blancos’ superstars attacking duo might have stolen most of Madrid’s headlines this season, the Brazilian international has been a vital part of Ancelotti’s plans on either side of the World Cup’s winter break.
Bagging a famous brace as Ancelotti’s side lifted a record-breaking 20th Copa del Rey crown thanks to a 2-1 victory against Osasuna on May 6th, the 22-year-old has cemented his spot as a real fan favourite around the Bernabeu.
Spearheading Madrid’s comeback here and putting in a real Man of the Match performance after finding the net on either side of the half-time break, Rodrygo has now racked up six goals in as many domestic appearances across all competitions.
With the Madrid hierarchy reportedly looking to get their Brazilian ace tied down to a new deal at the Bernabeu, Rodrygo has certainly been one of Spain’s unsung performers in 2023.
Match Report
Sevilla: Bono, Montiel, Gudelj, Rekik, Acuna, Bueno, Rakitic, Lamela, Gomez, Gil, Mir
Subs: Suso, Jordan, Corona, Torres, Bade
Real Madrid: Courtois, Vazquez, Militao, Alaba, Mendy, Kroos, Tchouameni, Modric, Valverde, Rodrygo, Ceballos
Subs: Nacho, Camavinga, Rudiger, Alvaro
Goals: Sevilla: Mir (3’) – Real Madrid: Rodrygo (29’, 69’)
Yellow Cards: Sevilla: Jordan, Torres – Real Madrid: Nacho, Ceballos, Vazquez, Tchouameni
Red Cards: Acuna
Referee: Cesar Soto
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
