Mir’s lone goal over Getafe keeps Sevilla close behind Real Madrid
Sevilla, Spain, Jan 9 (EFE).- A goal by Rafa Mir midway through the first half was the lone tally in Sevilla’s home win over Getafe on Sunday, a victory that kept the team within striking distance of league leader Real Madrid, which is five points ahead of the No. 2 Andalusian squad on the La Liga table.
The match was played at Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan stadium before about 31,000 fans, attendance having been reduced to 75 percent of capacity due to pandemic gathering restrictions.
The goal came in the 22nd minute during a first half in which the home squad clearly dominated play. Lucas Ocampo sent a cross in from the right that Mir controlled, surprising Getafe netminder David Soria – who formerly played for Sevilla – with a right heel-tap and sending the ball into the twine.
After the break, Sevilla – still looking very solid – gave no ground and maintained its advantage right through the final whistle.
Both teams had a number of men out – eight for Sevilla and several for Getafe, including Olivera and Arambarri on sanction.
With the win, Sevilla has gone five matches without a loss, although league leader Real Madrid is presently on a six-game no-loss streak of its own.
Julen Lopetegui’s men, with five new faces among the starting 11, came out strong against a Getafe that featured four changes from the starting squad that bested Real Madrid 1-0, including Djene, Silva, Florentino and Jaime Mata.
Lineups:
Sevilla: Dmitrovic; Montiel, Kounde (Gudelj, m.46), Diego Carlos, Acuña; Jordan, Fernando, Oliver Torres (Rakitic, m.62); Ocampos, Rafa Mir, Papu Gomez (Oscar Rodriguez, m.90).
Getafe: Soria; Damian, Djene, Mitrovic, Cuenca (Cabaco, m.86), Jonathan Silva (Jankto, m.74); Maksimovic, Florentino (Vitolo, m.86), Aleña; Mata (Dario Poveda, m.64), Enes Unal.
EFE cc/ism/bp
