Surreal Seville derby a glimpse of what's to come as LaLiga returns after coronavirus break

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Ben Hayward12 June 2020

It was LaLiga, but not as we know it.

El Gran Derbi is always a grand occasion and Sevilla versus Real Betis was a fitting fixture for the return of Spain's top flight after more than three months of inactivity due to coronavirus. It was, however, all somewhat surreal.

Sevilla's hymn was played prior to kick-off and is usually belted out by every soul inside the Sanchez Pizjuan. This time, though, there was nobody to sing along.

And after a minute's silence for the victims of Covid-19 observed in front of empty stands and with music despite the absence of a watching public, Andalucia's passionate derby day kicked off in a stadium with no fans.

Not real fans, anyway. Those watching on television were given piped atmospheric noise, which might sound awful but actually worked well, and computer-generated supporters in the stands.

The latter proved less effective and also unpopular as graphics provided by EA Sports received criticism on social media. The images, which occupied the lower tiers of the stadium on screen, also flickered on and off at times.

Still, it was probably better than nothing and in Spain, viewers could choose between the CGI graphics or the empty Sanchez Pizjuan.

There was also fan applause for the LaLiga restart, sent in via an online campaign, and tributes to former Sevilla and Betis players Antonio Puerta and Miki Roque (who died young in 2007 and 2012, respectively) in the 16th and 26th minutes.

And at the end of the game, which finished with something of a pre-season friendly feel after both teams made all five of their permitted substitutions, Sevilla's players went to the end of the pitch to applaud fans who were not there.

As they did so, Bonnie Tyler's 'It's a Heartache' blared out over the loudspeakers.

Photo: REUTERS
REUTERS

For Betis, it was a heartache after all the hope brought about by their 2-1 win over Real Madrid prior to the break due to Covid-19.

Sevilla's penalty, awarded by controversial referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz after he adjudged Marc Bartra had fouled Luuk de Jong, was contentious. But Betis could have few arguments with the result.

"The situation for the first goal leaves a bad taste," coach Rubi said after the game. "But in general terms, they were better than us."

Before the match, Rubi said this scoreline would be remembered forever and all of the credit he gained from the win over Madrid in March was lost again with this performance. Betis remain in 12th, but should be higher.

Photo: AFP via Getty Images
AFP via Getty Images

For Sevilla, the excellent Lucas Ocampos converted from the spot after 56 minutes and also made the second with a fabulous flick from a corner which allowed Fernando to head home. The Argentine had been a fitness doubt, but ultimately made the difference.

In central defence, Diego Carlos and Jules Kounde were excellent as well. All three of those players were signed by Monchi and all are thriving under a fine coach in Julen Lopetegui. Sevilla are third and will be difficult to dislodge from the Champions League spots on this form.

Lopetegui said it had been difficult to return after only "eight training sessions", especially with every team having to play 11 times in the space of just 39 days as LaLiga is competed between now and July 18.

But he was happy with the derby win. "There wasn't any noise in the stadium," he said. "But there will be in the city tonight."

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