The Nervión squad beat Fenerbahçe with goals from Jordán and Lamela, carrying a precious away advantage to Istanbul.
Sevilla recovered their rhythm in the first leg of the Europa League round of 16 and bounced back from the league defeat to Atlético de Madrid last Saturday. The Andalusian side had just defeated Fenerbahçe 2-0 and returned to their favored pace, proving they could press with intent on a European night away from home.
All details of the Sevilla vs Fenerbahçe Europa League tie are available here
The Turkish side controlled much of the early action but found Dmitrovic’s goal under pressure, creating several half chances that raised questions about the visitors’ resolve. Ferdi Kadioglu tested the Serbian keeper with a mid-range strike, while Enner Valencia forced a save from Dmitrovic on a shot from inside the box. The goalkeeper stood firm, maintaining his pace and positioning as Fenerbahçe sought the opener before the break.
As the minutes wore on, Sevilla struggled to settle into a coherent midfield balance, pressing with less consistency and letting the Turkish side dictate how the game unfolded in the middle of the park. Joshua King had a trio of clear opportunities to put his team ahead, including a shot that clattered against the post, a one-on-one that saw the forward misread a moment with Dmitrovic rushing out, and a header that skimmed the crossbar as the half drew to a close.
Sampaoli sought to restore balance in the midfield by introducing Jordán after the break. The substitution helped revive Sevilla’s structure and dampened some of the initial danger posed by the Turkish side. Aziz intercepted a promising En-Nesyri moment in the opening phase, and Altay Bayındır produced a strong save on a Nianzou header, signaling that the match would hinge on small margins. Sevilla seized the ensuing momentum, taking the lead through a fortuitous strike that found the back of the net after a deflection, lifting the roof off Nervión’s confidence and giving the visitors a priceless advantage.
Jorge Jesus adjusted by bringing on Batshuayi and Rossi, and Fenerbahçe responded with renewed energy, drawing level after Enner Valencia forced a smart stop from Dmitrovic. Sevilla answered with an authoritative push; Lamela and Ocampos both contributed to the siege, and a well-timed move involving Rakitic released Lamela, who tucked the ball past Altay Bayındır following a precise late pass. The Andalusian side pressed relentlessly in the closing stages, defending with discipline to protect their lead as they headed to Istanbul with a meaningful cushion, yet still mindful that the tie remained open.
Fans can look to subscribe to DAZN from €18.99 per month to watch La Liga live clips and replays
Minute by minute Sevilla vs Fenerbahçe in the Europa League
Sevilla press conferences and statements after the Europa League clash with Fenerbahçe
Sampaoli: High self-esteem and confidence
Getty Images
Reclaiming: It was important to win this match against a side with the history and authority they possess. Securing a home victory boosts morale and self-belief. There is little time to prepare for Sunday’s fixture, but this result provides a valuable lift.
The keys: The series remains entirely open. We landed talking points at key moments that could have changed the first half outcome. That energy fuels Sunday’s meeting and invites aggressive play while seeking to create further chances. Football can be unpredictable; sometimes the coach makes the right call, other times not. We dominated play and carved out chances that translated into the lead at halftime.
The system: The lineup and shapes shifted. They faced a formation that demanded adaptation, and the adjustments yielded concrete results as the match progressed.
Jordán and Dmitrovic: The squad is blessed with two top-tier goalkeepers. Dmitrovic earned a deserved chance to start, and Jordán contributed a steady, stabilizing performance. With Fernando behind them, the defensive line found better organization. All this fuels optimism for what lies ahead.
Keys for the return: The rival is formidable. The team must be aggressive on their home turf and avoid giving Fenerbahçe easy scoring chances. The tie is far from decided.