“Director’s resignation!” was the cry that was heard at the doors of Sánchez Pizjuán in the run-up to a farewell match. From Quique Sánchez Flores and, of course, from Xavi. The Sevilla fans showed their exhaustion with the bad season with a demonstration that brought together a good number of fans. “Sevillismo on a war footing,” read the main banner of a fairly strong protest against the leaders of the Andalusian club, which for the first time after 12 consecutive seasons will not compete in European competition. Sevilla sinks and a black tide of fans (all wearing dark shirts) showed their anger in a match where Quique and Xavi said goodbye. Two coaches little loved by their presidents.
1
Ørjan Haskjold Nyland, Kike Salas, Loic Bade (Gudelj, min. 79), Sergio Ramos, Boubakary Soumare, Adrià Pedrosa, Lucien Agoume (Manu Bueno, min. 79), Juanlu Sanchez, Lucas Ocampos, Lukebakio (Mariano, min. 78 ) and En-Nesyri (Alejo Véliz, min. 89)
2
Ter Stegen, Pau Cubarsí, Íñigo Martínez, Cancelo (Hector Fort, min. 83), Koundé, Gündogan, A. Christensen (Oriol Romeu, min. 45), Pedri, Fermín López, Lamine Yamal and Lewandowski (Ferrán Torres, min. 62)
Goals 0-1 min. 15: Lewandowski. 1-1 min. 30: En-Nesyri. 1-2 min. 59: Fermin Lopez.
Referee Javier Iglesias Villanueva
Yellow cards Kike Salas (min. 35), Cancelo (min. 49) and Lucas Ocampos (min. 92)
“We wanted to continue, but they are decisions that the club makes. We understood it and respected it. We thought this was not over. The feeling is contradictory because I think that the work was good and that we were on the right track despite this season,” said Xavi himself to the Dazn microphones at the end of the match. “I have the feeling that everything I have done in these two and a half years has caused an earthquake. I have been targeted many times. I have not been able to work with much peace and calm,” Xavi added emphatically. “I think that the work in the situation of adversity that we are experiencing has not been valued enough. I am proud and quite satisfied with what we have done in these two and a half years. Two titles in a situation of great adversity. Nothing more, wishing the best to Barça and the players, who have behaved spectacularly,” clarified the Catalan coach. “It was a shame because I was thinking of ending my contract at Barcelona, but it’s something I can’t control,” the coach later said at a press conference. “We are in a bad economic situation, I already said it, but I am leaving loved by our people and that fills me with pride. “I have been a culé all my life,” he deepened.
Quique, who was also saying goodbye to Sevilla, was cheered by the local fans during many phases of the match. “I leave with a feeling of relief. I have had very distressing moments in these five months. It makes me a little sad that in the last few games we haven’t been good, but we have done our duty. I am very grateful to the fans for the encouragement they have given me,” clarified the Madrid coach. “It has been an important step and we have taken away the Sevillista’s anxiety. And with honest work,” Quique clarified. “We have worn ourselves out a lot and now is the time to rest and think about the new project,” concluded the coach.
The atmosphere was very tense in Nervión. Barcelona fans were expelled from the entrance doors for wearing their team’s shirt. Sevilla prohibited wearing any Blaugrana badge except for the visiting stands. And some other fans got a good surprise. And the unthinkable happened at Sánchez Pizjuán in this century. The Sevilla fans did not sing his anthem and even the boos were tremendous while the verses most loved by the Andalusian fans played. A clearly historic event. As history will go down, that image of a half-empty stadium that filled up after 10 minutes and that exploded in a single cry against the management of José María del Nido Carrasco as president of the entity. And he has only been in office for five months, but this is Sevilla’s worst season of the 21st century.
But Sevilla’s crisis is longer. Two years of sporting hardship in the League, saved with last year’s Europa League title, have ended the patience of their fans. And even more so with José María del Nido Sr. seeking in every possible way a presidency that the courts deny him. Sevilla, which will have to face a drastic budget reduction for the next season, is living in a civil war. A protest like this Sunday’s has not been remembered for a long time in Sevilla. Specifically, since 1997, when the team was relegated to the Second Division after a calamitous course.
Quique was barely seen in the band. Much more to Xavi, always intense, until the end. He applauded Lewandowski’s goal and was quite angry at the ease that his team gave in the action of En-Nesyri’s equalizer and also in a good option by Lukebakio near the break. Always competitive, Xavi said goodbye to the Barcelona bench in the middle of a night of anger, with Sevillismo in great turmoil. Xavi left without Joan Laporta being in Seville. Yes, Deco, the sports director, did, who did not travel with the team’s expedition and did travel a few hours later to Seville. The coach received the affection of the fans who traveled to the Andalusian capital, who cheered him on. Also Fermín’s, who gave him a hug after his great goal. The Andalusian thanked him for betting on him and giving him the opportunity to debut in the first team. Cancelo also hugged him tightly. It was the end of an era for the Sevilla and Barcelona benches.
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