Sevilla recorded a 3-0 win over Fiorentina in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final on Thursday.
A double from Aleix Vidal and a late Kevin Gameiro strike proved the difference between the two teams, with Sevilla now the strong favourites to make another Europa League final.
Here, Sports Mole dissects the 90 minutes of action in Seville.
Match statistics
SEVILLA
Shots: 9
On target: 5
Possession: 46%
Corners: 3
Fouls: 19
FIORENTINA
Shots: 13
On target: 4
Possession: 54%
Corners: 2
Fouls: 8
Was the result fair?
Statistics rarely paint a false picture in football and one look at the numbers would suggest that Fiorentina were unfortunate to lose in Seville. The Italian side had more possession and more shots, but ultimately, poor finishing cost them the chance to secure a positive result. Sevilla, on the other hand, only had five shots on target, but scored with four of them, which is an indication of what occurred. In truth, Fiorentina were extremely unfortunate to be behind at the break, but they never really turned up in the second period and Sevilla always looked the team more likely to claim a first-leg victory.
When reviewing the match as a whole, a three-goal separation is perhaps a shade harsh on Fiorentina, such was their dominance during stages of the first 45 minutes. Matias Fernandez and Mario Gomez were both guilty of missing opportunities, however, which was not the case for Sevilla, who were so clinical in attack. The importance of away goals is always discussed and had Fiorentina found one at 3-0, they would have still been in with a chance in the second leg. As it stands, however, it is difficult to see the Serie A team turning this semi-final around next Thursday when the two teams meet in Florence.
Sevilla's performance
When the teamsheets were handed in, the main talking point came at right-back, where head coach Unai Emery had selected Vidal, who usually plays as an attacking midfielder. Coke and Diogo Figueiras were both on the bench, but Emery knew what he was doing. Vidal scored twice from right-back and also played a key role in securing an impressive first-leg score. Sevilla took the lead in the 17th minute when Carlos Bacca set up Vidal to fire home, but Fiorentina were the better team in the first half. Fernandez, as mentioned, had a couple of super chances, while Mohamed Salah also passed up a good opportunity to find the back of the net. At that stage, it would be fair to say that Sevilla were fortunate to be ahead, but the home team emerged much the stronger in the second 45 minutes and refused to ease up in Seville.
The home side's second goal came in the 52nd minute when Vitolo worked his way along the edge of the box before setting up Vidal, who finished past the diving Neto. A 2-0 victory would have been a strong first-leg result, but Sevilla managed a third 15 minutes from time when Gameiro scored with his first touch following a low attempt from Vidal. The home side's goalkeeper Sergio Rico was forced into a couple of smart saves in the latter stages, but there was not really a period where Sevilla looked in danger of conceding. The holders are now very much on course for another appearance in the final of this tournament.
Fiorentina's performance
Having overcome a number of strong teams to reach this stage of the competition, Fiorentina would certainly have fancied their chances in Seville. They entered the match boasting a 12-game unbeaten run away from home in Europe, but that record was smashed in Spain. It all started so well for the Italian side, who immediately gained possession of the ball. Gomez had the game's first real chance early on, but the striker could only fire high and wide of the crossbar after good work from Joaquin, who remained a threat all evening. The opening goal came against the run of play, but Fiorentina should have been level less than three minutes later when Joaquin set up Fernandez inside the box, but somehow the midfielder fluffed his lines. Fernandez then had another opportunity two minutes later, but could only fire straight at Rico.
Salah and Joaquin continued to cause problems as the half developed, but it was always the type of game where the Italians needed to score during their spell on top. As it transpired, the visitors entered the break 1-0 behind and in truth, they did not perform in the second period. Micah Richards was introduced at the break, but it was a difficult game for the Englishman, while Fiorentina's two centre-backs also struggled as the tempo rose. The away side's goalkeeper Neto will not look too fondly on his part in Sevilla's second, while poor defending also contributed to the third. The Serie A side attempted to press forward in the latter stages, but clear chances remained at a premium as they failed to register what could have been a vital away goal. It does appear that their European journey this season is now over. They need some performance next Thursday.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Aleix Vidal: In truth, this is not a difficult decision. There were a number of impressive performers for Sevilla, but none more so than Vidal. The Spaniard, who played at right-back, scored two excellent goals and also played a key role in their third when moved further forward. Fiorentina just could not live with the 25-year-old.
Biggest gaffe
As mentioned, Fernandez was guilty of a couple of incredible misses for Fiorentina, but his worst moment came in the 20th minute when he somehow fired wide from close range after excellent work from Joaquin. It looked easier to score, but the ball ended up wide of the post.
Referee performance
There was a bizarre moment in the latter stages of the first period when Fiorentina defender Stefan Savic appeared to bring Sevilla's Grzegorz Krychowiak to the ground, but referee Felix Brych had blown the whistle literally seconds before, which angered the home team. It was a fairly busy game in terms of cards, with the German issuing five yellows, but they were all straightforward decisions. That said, Fiorentina captain Gonzalo Rodriguez was lucky to escape a red for a poor challenge on Vicente Iborra late on.
What next?
Sevilla: Emery's side return to La Liga action away to in-form Celta Vigo on Sunday.
Fiorentina: Next up for the Serie A club is a trip to Empoli in the league on Sunday.
Matt Law
