[ad_1]
Sevilla all-but secured Champions League qualification by beating relegation battlers Real Mallorca 2-Zero on Sunday. Lucas Ocampos scored a first-half penalty earlier than Youssef En-Nesyri added a second late on to maneuver Sevilla 9 factors away from fifth-placed Villarreal in La Liga. With three video games left and the superior head-to-head, Villarreal are usually not mathematically out of competition however they must take most factors and see Sevilla lose each of their remaining matches. “Champions League qualification was our objective,” mentioned Sevilla’s Fernando Reges.
“We are very close and now we just have some small steps left to make it.”
Finishing within the high 4 can be a formidable achievement for Sevilla and their coach Julen Lopetegui, who took over final yr following his nightmares answerable for Spain and Real Madrid.
Lopetegui, along with sporting director Monchi, oversaw a dramatic overhaul of the primary group squad however change has not come on the expense of consistency for Sevilla, who at the moment are 13 matches unbeaten in La Liga.
They may even but end third, given they sit degree on factors with Atletico Madrid.
Defeat damages Real Mallorca’s fading hopes of avoiding relegation.
They stay three factors behind Alaves, who’ve a superior report head-to-head and a recreation in hand in opposition to Getafe on Monday.
“We knew winning here would send out a strong message. We couldn’t do it but we don’t stop believing,” mentioned Mallorca’s Antonio Raillo.
Leganes are additionally three factors behind Alaves however have a glimmer of hope after they scored one penalty and saved one other in a battling 1-Zero win over Valencia.
Javier Aguirre’s aspect have an equal head-to-head with Alaves and are solely two worse off on objective distinction.
Leganes additionally needed to play the final 36 minutes in opposition to Valencia with 10 males after Jonathan Silva was despatched off, shortly earlier than Leganes goalkeeper Pichu Cuellar saved Dani Parejo’s spot-kick.
Ruben Perez had transformed his personal penalty within the first half to present Leganes the lead and a victory that retains alive their slim probabilities of avoiding the drop.
“A few weeks ago people would never have dreamt we’d reach the last two games with a chance of staying up,” mentioned Cuellar. “But we’ve never lost hope.”
Valencia’s depressing season continues, with the prospect even of Europa League qualification showing more and more distant.
They sit ninth, three factors behind Getafe in sixth, having performed a recreation extra.
Promoted
Cadiz’s promotion from Segunda was confirmed after third-placed Real Zaragoza misplaced 4-2 at dwelling to Real Oviedo.
Zaragoza’s defeat means Cadiz are seven factors clear, with two video games left.
Topics talked about on this article
[ad_2]
Source link