Sevilla looked to be in good shape and secured a convincing win over a Cádiz side that was made to pay for its mistakes. En-Nesyri's goalscoring instinct proved fatal for a Cádiz side that were though able to put something of a gloss on the result in the closing stages.
Los Amarillos started bravely enough on the Sevillian turf and pushed on towards the opposition penalty box, but wasted two corners in the first few minutes. As the game progressed, however, Sevilla began to dominate the play and had Cádiz camped in their own area. A shot over the crossbar from Ocampos and an overhead kick from En-Nesyri onto the post were signs of the potential of Lopetegui's side.
It seemed that time ticking away was Cádiz's best ally, but just after the half hour mark the goal threat of their opponents would materialise. First, a warning, as an unmarked Kounde headed goalwards inside the six-yard box from a Suso cross, but was saved by Ledesma. A minute later, the Argentine failed to stop a shot from Suso that rebounded off the post, and was finished by En-Nesyri to make it 1-0.
Despite being a goal down, the flow of play didn’t change and Lopetegui's training ground tactics were clear as a Suso free-kick on the by-line caught out the defence as En-Nesyri got his head to it near the penalty spot. A scoreline of 2-0 was going to be tough to turn around, especially after a first half without any real attacking threat
The restart saw the introduction of Perea for Salvi, and the logical attempt to push the defensive line further forward against a Sevilla team that were unbothered about taking a step back. But the attacking play failed to reach the final quarter, so Álvaro Cervera tried to spring a surprise by switching Jairo for Jonsson and completely changing the formation. Perea, Álex and Fali formed a three-pronged attack, with the Valencian as the most advanced player.
This experiment, however, barely lasted three minutes, the time needed for En-Nesyri to take advantage of another mistake. On this occasion it was from a crossed ball which Marc Baró went to clear but found luck against him, allowing the Moroccan to out-jump Alcalá and head home his hat-trick.
It wasn't until the 69th minute when Cádiz created their first real chance, a long run from Baró which he finished with a shot that Bono turned away as best he could. This was a prelude to three clear goal opportunities. First Negredo had a chance after Choco Lozano's bicycle kick attempt fell to him, but his effort flew just over the bar. Shortly after, the Honduran got his head to an Iza cross but Bono was up to it. Negredo was involved again as he capitalised on a defensive error from the hosts, his shot from the edge of the area going just wide of the upright.
With ten minutes to go, there were three changes made: Garrido, Malbasic and Nieto coming on (the latter making his LaLiga Santander debut along with Baró) to replace Álex, Lozano and Negredo. So much could have happened thereafter. A Perea hit from the edge of the area, a Malbasic effort just wide, or a fourth for the home side could have come from Idrissi's shot which was saved by Ledesma.
The four minutes of stoppage time saw a series of close calls with no reward. The second half of the season, therefore, begins with a defeat, but also with a sense of calm given the league standings.
