Sevilla held to goalless draw by Sporting Gijon as slump continues

Sevilla’s slump continued as they held to a goalless home draw by Sporting Gijon, conceding third place in the Liga table to Atletico Madrid.

Jorge Sampaoli’s side have suffered a dismal month, failing to win any of their last four league matches and crashing out of the Champions League to Leicester City. Their last domestic victory came in the derby win over Real Betis at the end of February.

Sporting Gijon were in desperate need of three points as well to help them claw back some of the difference at the foot of the table, but will look at this as a point gained. Sevilla enjoyed the majority of possession but failed to create much in the way of goalscoring opportunities, with Vitolo their liveliest threat.

But the hosts couldn’t find the breakthrough, despite controlling the second half, with the result meaning Sevilla now sit in fourth place following Atletico Madrid’s victory over Malaga on Saturday.

Just a few weeks ago Sevilla had their sights set on the title. Now they have fallen to fourth place and are solely concerned with preserving their place in the Champions League for next season. This is their worst run of form under Sampaoli, with Sevilla now without a win in their last four Liga games. The slump shows no sign of ending and Sevilla’s season is falling apart.

Sevilla didn’t create much in the way of clear goalscoring opportunities, but whatever they did create Sporting Gijon goalkeeper Ivan Cuellar dealt with. He made a number of good stops, particularly one to deny Vitolo low down to his right, while also providing a reassuring presence behind a well-organised defence. A point was the least the goalkeeper deserved.

Sevilla - Rico 6, Sarabia 5, Lenglet 5, Pareja 5, Mariano 6, Kranevitter 5, N’Zonzi 6, Vitolo 7, Nasri 5, Correa 6, Ben Yedder 5. Subs - Iborra 6, Jovetic 5, Vietto 5.

Sporting Gijon - Cuellar 8, Lillo 6, Babin 7, Amorebieta 6, Canella 7, Vesga 5, Torres 6, Alvarez 5, Carmona 7, Burgui 6, Castro 5. Subs - Traore 5, Lopez 5, Rodriguez 5.

33’ PENALTY KICK TO SPORTING GIJON! The away side have a spot kick after a clear trip in the box.

34’ THE REF HAS REVERSED HIS DECISION! The man in the middle has now spotted that the flag was raised against the Gijon player and has now awarded a freekick to Sevilla rather than a penalty to the visitors.

49’ WHAT A SAVE! That's an astonishing stop from Cuellar. Vitolo sent a powerful low shot towards the bottom corner of the net, but the Sporting Gijon goalkeeper got down so well to make the save.

81’ OH DEAR, N'ZONZI! The midfielder creates the wonderful shooting opportunity for himself from a tight angle, but he completely slices his shot and the ball flashes wide of the target.

Sporting Gijon are now unbeaten in their last three games against Sevilla in La Liga, their best run since 1986.

Sevilla are winless in their last four league games, their worst run without a win under Jorge Sampaoli.