Okazor sends Salzburg into the last 16 for the first time

Sevilla have once again been knocked out of the Champions League. Julen Lopetegui's side's quest to reach the last 16 of the Champions League ended in Salzburg after a game that left a very bad taste in the mouth of the Sevilla side. 

The key was the first half. The Spaniards were certainly superior to the Austrians. Without dominating the game, but with good work, the group was compact in defence and frustrated practically all the home side's dangerous arrivals. 

The lack of effectiveness epitomised by the striker in this move proved to be the main obstacle to Sevilla's bid for victory or, at least, a draw. It also had a lot to do with the fact that the team had been playing with a man down since the 64th minute, when Joan Jordán picked up his second yellow card after cutting out Adeyemi's counter-attack with a challenge.

 

December 8, 2021

The second half brought better times for Matthias Jaissle's side, much better. Whether it was the coach's dressing room talk or simply because his side were better at the restart, it was Okafor's goal that would prove to be the winner in the first attack after Munir's header against the crossbar.

From then on, as previously mentioned, it was enough to keep Sevilla under control, as they were more reliant on their own grit than any real chance of a comeback, as, with one down and facing a calm opponent, they were finding it very difficult to do so. Julen Lopetegui's men now have to return to their fetish competition, the Europa League. Jaissle's side are through to the last 16 as runners-up.

 

December 8, 2021