Las Palmas showed some new faces in their starting line-up, due to injuries to players, including Remy, Bigas, Dani Castellano, and Oussama Tannane who was out through gastroenteritis. Ximo Navarro occupied the left back position, while David García and Aythami Artiles a central defensive partnership. In midfield Hernán Santana played alongside Alberto Aquilani. Sevilla was more bark than bite. Although for long periods Las Palmas were fully stretched, not through great play, at least tonight.
Las Palmas handled the hostile atmosphere in the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuan stadium with intelligence, which was due to the summer departure of Vitolo. The game started off as expected, with Vitolo the object of continual heavy fouls by the home team. Every time he touched the ball there was deafening whistles around the Sánchez Pizjuán.
Las Palmas found it hard to firstly get possession and then keep the ball on the ground, and as opposed to their normal passing game they adopted a tactic of counter attacks in order to try to break down Sevilla. In terms of attack Las Palmas doesn’t have to envy any other team, with Calleri outstanding as he fought hard against the uncompromising Sevilla central defenders. The Argentinian forward worked hard to find gaps and play in team mates Jonathan Viera and Tana. Las Palmas’ first attempt on goal came in the 38th minute with a header by Hernán Santana which went over the bar. Two minutes later Vitolo mis-hit a shot when played through by Tana, and as half time came he had another chance, this time with a header that went wide.
Defensively very sound, the yellows were able to contain all Sevilla could throw at them, as they continued to foul Vitolo on a regular basis. Chichizola hardly had anything to do, except save a few long range efforts. With few clear chances, and the home team huffing and puffing, and UD Las Palmas more and more confident, and unaffected by the booing crowd, half time was duly reached.
The second half started with Sevilla pouring forward. Chichizola made a superb reflex save from a header by Ben Yedder (min. 55). The game took a new turn as the home team stepped up a gear and started to move the ball around with more precision. In the 58th minute, Momo came on for Vitolo and the whole stadium greeted the substitution with a deafening booing. This signalled the start of the whole new match.
Las Palmas were not being overrun by Sevilla, but neither were they able to get in behind their defence to trouble home goalkeeper Sergio Rico. Berizzo’s team continued to dominate and threaten the away goal, but were hurried and erratic with their play. Reduced mainly to set pieces and long balls forward, Las Palmas began to push Sevilla back on a few occasions. The game was dragging on for both teams and it all became a matter of not making mistakes. Sevilla suddenly went ahead in the 83rd minute, thanks to a cross shot by Navas that caught Chichizola completely by surprise.
Las Palmas were unable to play their way back into the game. Any possession was a long way from the home area, and Sevilla comfortably managed to see out the rest of the game by slowing things down. It was a hard defeat for the yellows to swallow, as they deserved a least a point from the match.
