A Carlos Bacca double gave Sevilla a 2-1 win over Real Madrid this evening, as Los Blancos slipped to third in the table.
With that controversial loss in Sunday’s Clasico still firmly in the minds of the fans, it was up to Carlo Ancelotti to not let that seep into the consciousness of the players as they went to Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.
The Italian was forced into two changes from that Barcelona defeat, bringing in Asier Illarramendi and Raphael Varane following suspensions to Angel Di Maria and Sergio Ramos. The home side meanwhile, went ultra-attacking, with Jose Antonio Reyes, Marko Marin, Ivan Rakitic, and Bacca all getting a start.
And it was the Rojiblancos who got off to the brighter start, going close within a minute. Rakitic’s free kick found Bacca, but his pull-back was cleared by Illarramendi from inside the six yard box.
The tempo was lightning-quick in the opening exchanges, and it wasn’t long before Los Blancos had their first opportunity of the half – Gareth Bale running at the defence at firing just over from the edge of the area.
Both sides were at their attacking best, but the sheer quality on show for the visitors meant they were creating a host of chances. Ronaldo was cursed by a bad touch at the crucial moment, but it was Karim Benzema who went closest – striking straight at Beto from the right-hand side of the area.
And it was the France international who caused the Madrid fans more groans soon after as he headed miraculously wide when, four yards out, it looked easier to score.
That profligacy didn’t matter however, as on 15 minutes Ronaldo picked himself up after a foul and dispatched a free kick that took a wicked deflection past Beto from 25 yards for the opening goal.
Unai Emery’s men though, were not caught sulking and quickly found an equaliser. A free kick in the Madrid half was seized upon by Reyes, who quickly broke down the right-hand side. The ex-Blancos forward soon found the run of Bacca, and the Colombia international poked home past Diego Lopez with a cool finish.
The initial breakneck speed eventually died now, but both sides continued to pepper their rival goalkeepers with efforts. Reyes went near for the Rojiblancos, but Diego Lopez was there to turn his shot round the post – whilst Ronaldo flicked the ball over Beto from close-range, but watched as the ball trickled along the goalline.
After the break, Ancelotti’s men really started to dominate possession, forcing the Andalusian outfit to retreat back towards the edge of their own area. Unlike the first 45 however, chances were at a premium.
Sevilla were defending stoutly, and resorted the capital club to pot-shots from long-range – Xabi Alonso with perhaps the worst of them.
And that solid base was the foundation for a stunning counter-attack with just 19 minutes remaining. A break down the left from Rakitic eventually saw the Croatia international thread through Bacca, who, once again, calmly finished past Lopez.
The away team kept on looking for the goal that would give them an invaluable point in the southern city, but their post-Clasico blues continued as Sevilla claimed a historic win.
Sevilla 2-1 Real Madrid
Scorers: Bacca 19, 72 (S); Ronaldo 15 (RM)
Sevilla: Beto, Coke, Pareja, Fazio, Alberto, Iborra, Mbia, Reyes (Navarro 76), Rakitic, Marin (Vitolo 71); Bacca (Gameiro 83)
Real Madrid: Diego Lopez; Carvajal, Varane, Pepe, Marcelo; Alonso, Modric (Morata 90), Illarra (Isco 67); Benzema, Bale Ronaldo
