Sevilla faced a tough test in a weak wind game that clouds their path in this Champions League campaign, with the result not erasing lingering doubts over a team that had claimed its first win of the season only the weekend before against Espanyol. The questions remain about how much the squad has been able to shore up its inconsistencies and whether the approach chosen by the coach can yield consistent performances against organized opponents.
After a promising opening half hour that brought some luck and buoyed hopes, Sevilla faded in the second half. There were no clear chances created in a period that underscored the growing doubts within the squad, a group still finding its rhythm and some players clearly below peak form. The tactical plan, which featured a compact midfield and an attack built around En-Nesyri while Isco drifted across the frontline, did not generate the necessary pressure to turn the game in their favor.
The starting lineup included Dmitrovic in goal, with Lopetegui retaining Salas and Carmona to reinforce the midfield balance. The decision to emphasize physical presence in the middle and the absence of a traditional focal point up front left the attack feeling under-resourced as the match wore on, with En-Nesyri operating from a flexible position on the left and Isco roaming across the forward line.
Sevilla seized control of possession early on and began to threaten through the right flank as Lamela combined with Carmona on several occasions. The academy product aligned well with veteran Rakitic, who narrowly missed a sequence that could have altered the tempo of the game had the ball glanced a touch higher.
Lamela delivered a long, precise pass that released En-Nesyri in a dangerous counter, but the forward arrived slightly late and could not beat the advancing goalkeeper on the break. As the clock ticked past the 30-minute mark, Sevilla’s rhythm steadied, yet a lack of incisive finishing and a resolute Copenhagen defense kept the scoreline level and left the home side frustrated.
Copenhagen struggled to carve out chances because the hosts clogged the middle with numbers and pressed aggressively when space appeared. The Danish side’s best moment came when Guard Kristiansen found space on the ball and tested the keeper with a high shot, a warning shot that reminded Sevilla of the need for sharper concentration.
Vavro then tested the goalkeeper with a direct free kick, a shot that stretched Sevilla’s nerves and kept the visitors honest. Claesson followed with a threatening header that required a timely intervention to keep the scoreline even.
Carmona continued to stand out for Sevilla, delivering a dangerous moment from a corner early in the second half as the ball skimmed past the near post. The measure of the game had shifted, with Copenhagen growing in confidence and Sevilla trying to withstand pressure while searching for a moment of clarity in attack.
The match moved into a more balanced phase as Copenhagen attacked with greater intent. Daramy broke through the lines, showing pace and skill in a tight area, and looked to unleash a shot that could change the momentum. The Sevilla defense managed to corral him and steer the danger away, denying a clear scoring opportunity.
Lopetegui responded by reshaping the lineup, replacing Rakitic with Papu Gómez and bringing on Jordan for the half-time interval to refresh the midfield and widen the attacking options. The changes gave Sevilla more control and presence in the final third, yet they did not translate into a decisive breakthrough as the clock continued to wind down.
The home side pressed higher, but Copenhagen’s defense held firm and created sporadic openings of their own. Sevilla remained unable to string together a sustained sequence that would test the goalkeeper with regularity, and the match finished with a sense that both teams had held firm despite moments of danger.
Data sheet: 0 – Copenhagen: Ryan; Diks, Khocholava, Vavro, Kristiansen; Zeca, Stamenik; Falk (Lerager, art.79), Jóhannesson (Sørensen, art.87), Daramy (Mukairu, art.73); Claesson (Haraldsson, b.79).
0 – Seville: Dmitrov; Carmona, Gudelj, Kike Salas, Telles; Rakitic (Papu Gómez, art.66), Fernando, Delaney (Jordan, art.66); Isco (Januzaj, m. 84), En-Nesyri (Dolberg, m.74), Lamela (Suso, m.74).
Judge: İrfan Peljto (Bosnia). Yellow cards for Copenhagen to Daramy (art. 11), Claesson (art. 58) and Stamenic (art. 82); for Seville, Jordan (m.75) and Carmona (m.90).
Events: The second day match of the Champions League group G was played at Parken stadium in Copenhagen in front of 34,910 spectators, including nearly thirty Sevilla fans.