Sevilla 1-1 RC Lens: Angelo’s Strike Leaves Sevilla Un-Ful-filled
Written By: Abidoye Babatunde
For the third time in four such meetings, Lens were forced to settle for a draw away from home against Spanish opposition, as Sevilla held them to a 1-1 draw in their UEFA Champions League opener.
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Having made a slow start to their Ligue 1 campaign, replicating that dismal form on the European stage inside ten minutes served as a disastrous start. Only nine minutes were on the clock when Lucas Ocampos’ looped header dropped over the head of Brice Samba and into the back of the Lens net. Sevilla likely sensed blood at that point against a Lens side severely lacking confidence, but instead they were stung going the other way.
It came almost out of nothing, as Angelo Fulgini struck a peach of a free-kick from the edge of the area to draw his side level. Aside from the two goals, chances were at a premium in the first half, and in truth, going into the break level arguably suited Lens a bit more, as an expectant Sevilla faithful started to grow a little impatient. Boss José Luis Mendilibar is coming under increasing pressure at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium, and when his side started the second half slowly, he must’ve been left wondering just when his luck would change.
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Mendilibar looked to the bench in a desperate search for a change in fortunes, and last Sunday’s matchwinner Dodi Lukebakio was the man he looked towards. His decision almost paid instant dividends too, but as the Belgian rocketed an effort goalwards, Samba was on hand to keep him at bay. It was then Marko Dmitrović’s turn in the Sevilla goal to produce heroics, as he pulled out a stunning stop from point-blank range to deny Morgan Guilavogui what would’ve been a winner.
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As such, both sides were forced to settle for a point – one that probably suits Lens slightly given they were inches away from defeat in the dying moments when Mariano Díaz incredibly fired wide with the goal at his mercy. It probably wasn’t the return to the Champions League that Europa League winners Sevilla had planned, as they were consigned to a first-ever draw at home to French opposition.
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