Liverpool felt that the game was easy to play after they took the lead, but the subsequent game process proved that it is not unreasonable for Sevilla to be called the king of the Europa League.
Their form and luck in the Europa League final is really inexplicable.
Willard scored in the 17th minute, and just 5 minutes later, in the 22nd minute, Sevilla used a series of teamwork to attack outside the right side of the penalty area near the bottom line. Ke made a pass from outside the sideline.
However, what he passed was not an air ball, but a ground ball. He wanted to pass the ball into the small penalty area and let his teammates grab the ball in front of the goal.
Sevilla's players failed to grab the first point, and the first point was grabbed by a flying tackle from the forward center back Kolo Toure.
Kolo Toure's purpose was to shovel the ball out of the baseline to clear the ball, but things went counterproductive. Although Kolo Toure touched the ball, he failed to shovel the ball out of the baseline. Instead, his toe touched the ball slightly, resulting in The ball changed line and went into the goal from the near corner.
Goalkeeper Mignolet saw that the ball was passed into the small penalty area, so he just stood near the midpoint of the goal to guard against the opponent's player's frontal shot in the small penalty area. Unexpectedly, Kolo Toure, who was in front of him, gave him a shot. An own goal came.
Mignolet didn't react at all and could only watch the ball fly into the net.
Sevilla equalized the score 1-1.
"Oh, own goal!"
"The Sevilla winger made a ground ball, and Kolo Toure tried to make a clearance with a flying tackle. Not only did he fail to break the ball out of the baseline, but he shoveled the ball into the goal!"
"Sevilla is so lucky, they can score and even the score."
"Now it's the turn of Sevilla's players and fans to celebrate wildly."
Indeed, when Kolo Toure was lying on his back on the grass in a daze, and every Liverpool fan in the stands was silent, Sevilla started to celebrate enthusiastically.
This time, everyone is back on the same starting line. As the king of the Europa League, Sevilla is not afraid of anyone, not even Liverpool with Velarde.
This goal also greatly boosted the morale of Sevilla. In the following time, the offense improved. It was not limited to defensive counterattacks, but began to attack Liverpool in the midfield, trying to take advantage of the goal just scored. The momentum overwhelmed Liverpool and then led the score.
But Liverpool used its overall high-pressing defense and Velarde's full-court running to destroy most of Sevilla's attacks. Even if a shot can occasionally be formed, it is not a big threat.
Liverpool, on the other hand, also did not give up offense. When they got the ball, they would also attack and strive for goals.
In the 35th minute, when Sevilla winger Bitolo was holding the ball and was pressed by Henderson, and was about to pass the ball to midfielder Banega, Velarde saw through the passing intention, and Bitolo Luo's passing was a little less forceful and a little slower.
Velarde suddenly accelerated from the side, made a flying tackle before Banega could catch the ball, and passed the ball to the nearby full-back Klein.
Klein made a diagonal pass without stopping and passed the ball to winger Firmino who was retreating to receive the ball. Subsequently, Liverpool launched a quick counterattack. Sturridge, Coutinho and others rushed forward. Velard also got up and rushed into the penalty area from the center, attracting the attention of many Sevilla defensive players. .
In the end, Coutinho's cross from the left was a little high. Velarde couldn't reach the ball at the midpoint and could only watch the ball fly to the back point.
But the presence of Willard also attracted the attention of many defensive players and goalkeepers in Sevilla, which happened to allow Sturridge to occupy the spot and trap defender Escudero behind him. Jumped up and hit the goal with a header, successfully heading the ball into the back post.
Although goalkeeper David Celia had judged that Willard could not hit the ball based on the height of the ball and moved to the back point, Sturridge's header was too close and too fast. Even though David Soria subconsciously reached out to make a save and successfully touched the ball with his fingertips, in the end the ball still flew firmly into the goal.
The commentators from England shouted excitedly again:
"The ball went in!!!"
"Sturridge's header from behind gave Liverpool their second goal."
"The Red Army 2-1 Sevilla, taking the lead again."
"This goal was a counterattack launched by Willard after stealing the ball from the backcourt. Coutinho also made a good pass from the left. Sturridge also chose his position well and did not waste Coutinho. This cross."
"Of course, Velarde's interception of the ball in the backcourt and subsequent dash forward into the penalty area, which interfered with Sevilla's defense and goalkeeper, also contributed greatly."
Sturridge, who scored the goal, and Coutinho, Velarde and others who assisted, all rushed to the sidelines and gathered together to celebrate warmly. At the same time, they could also take the opportunity to delay the time.
Anyway, they are in the lead now.
After celebrating for half a minute, the players returned to their own half, allowing Sevilla to kick the ball in and continue the game.
In the subsequent game, Sevilla went all out to counterattack, trying to equalize the score for the second time, but Liverpool, stimulated by the goal, had a great morale and withstood the opponent's counterattack. Not only that, but he almost scored again with a counterattack. Unfortunately, Firmino's shot in the penalty area was pushed and interfered by the opponent's defender, and he failed to hit the target accurately and missed the post.
Sevilla also played a threatening team game at the end of the first half. In the end, winger Koke completed the shot and successfully hit the goal frame with a volley from the penalty area.
Fortunately, goalkeeper Mignolet was very focused and reacted immediately to save the ball, successfully saving the ball from the bottom line and avoiding the bad luck of another goal breach.
The ensuing corner kicks competed with each other. Villard, who returned to the penalty area to participate in the defense, jumped high at the mid-point and headed the ball out of the penalty area to clear the ball.
After 1 minute of stoppage time, the referee blew the whistle to end the first half. The two sides entered the halftime break with a score of 2-1, with the Red Army Liverpool temporarily leading by one goal.
After a 15-minute rest, the two sides changed sides and fought again in the second half. Neither side made any substitutions and continued to fight with the starting lineup of the first half.
Liverpool, who were leading the score, certainly had a psychological advantage. Not only did they continue their high-position pressing in an orderly manner, but they also often used the opportunity to get the ball to counterattack, shocking Sevilla up and down.
However, they can't defend. It is Sevilla who is behind in the score now, so they can only attack. Similarly, they can only be forced to bear the pressure of Liverpool's quick counterattack.
