Two goals from Renato saw Sevilla to a comfortable win over an uninspiring Steaua Bucharest in Group H.
Visitors in control in Bucharest
Two goals from Renato saw Sevilla to a comfortable win over an uninspiring Steaua Bucharest in Group H.
Expectations were high for Manuel Jiminez in his first UEFA Champions League game in charge of Sevilla.
The visitors had a good chance to take the lead early in the game. Tom De Mul, also in his first Champions League game for Sevilla, found his way through on the right but his shot pulled just past the far post. Steaua already showing weaknesses at the back.
Just minutes later a well-timed run from Renato came close to giving the visitors the lead. Frederic Kanoute turned in the area and passed to Renato who tried to steer his effort around the keeper but didn't quite get the angle he needed and the ball went wide.
Referee Herbert Fandel was forced to dip into his pocket for a double booking after just 20 minutes of play. An ill-timed tackle by Ifeanyi Emeghara on Jesus Navas resulted in the Steaua defender being booked and Kanoute picked up a yellow card for interfering in the incident.
And then, mid-way through the first half the visitors, who had controlled most of the early part of the game, took the lead. The corner in from the left found the head of Christian Poulsen whose shot was saved but rebounded to Renato who followed up to put Sevilla in front.
They almost built on that lead when Navas' misfired shot found Poulsen on the right who headed the ball just wide of the post. Eight shots on target for Sevilla in comparison to Steaua's three gave a clear indication of who was in control.
Just before the half-time whistle, Musquera found space and made a great run down the centre of the pitch before passing to Kanoute who's long range shot went slightly wide of the right post. Soon after the referee blew for half-time and the Steaua players left the pitch to a flurry of boos after what was a disappointing first half for the home side.
Confidence
Steaua coach Marius Lacatus must have made his disappointment clear to his players in the dressing room as they came on a much more confident side in the second half and created some good early chances.
Banel Nicolita made his presence known and found space through in the area only to be stopped in his tracks by Musquera who made a great recovery to put the ball out for a corner. The ball in was cleared but a lively start for Steaua in the second half.
The home side were then awarded a free kick after a reckless challenge by Daniel Alves. Adriano picked up a pointless yellow card in the process for kicking the ball away when the referee had already blown his whistle.
The resulting free kick was taken by Dica who stepped up 30 yards out but hit the ball straight at the wall for a second time in the game.
And just when Steaua appeared to be getting back into the game they suffered a further setback.
At the opposite end of the pitch a great move by Alves at the heart of the action sent the ball back to Navas with a beautiful back heel. Navas crossed the ball into Renato who finished with a beautiful header to net his second of the game.
Late claims for a penalty by Romeo Surdu were dismissed instantly by the referee. Surdu - on as a sub - claimed to be brought down in the area by Daniel Alves but the referee had a clear angle on the incident and awarded nothing for what seemed a poor attempt to get something out of the game.
Sevilla should have been awarded a penalty for handball with just five minutes remaining. Dorin Goian looked to have clearly handled in the area but the referee waved play on.
Despite that decision, with a comfortable two-goal lead all Sevilla had to do was control the ball and play out the remainder of the game which is exactly what they did.
| Steaua Bucharest |
Team Statistics |
Sevilla |
|
| 0 |
Goals |
2 |
|
| 0 |
1st Half Goals |
1 |
|
| 2 |
Shots on Target |
4 |
|
| 6 |
Shots off Target |
9 |
|
| 3 |
Blocked Shots |
2 |
|
| 3 |
Corners |
4 |
|
| 17 |
Fouls |
18 |
|
| 2 |
Offsides |
1 |
|
| 2 |
Yellow Cards |
2 |
|
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
|
| 76.1 |
Passing Success |
78.6 |
|
| 25 |
Tackles |
10 |
|
| 76 |
Tackles Success |
90 |
|
| 48.3 |
Possession |
51.7 |
|
| 48.5 |
Territorial Advantage |
51.5 |
|
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