Aachen submit to Sevilla
Thursday, 4 November 2004
[1] Sevilla FC got off to a flying start in their first UEFA Cup Group H match by serving TSV Alemmania Aachen their first defeat four games into their debut European campaign.
Comfortable win
[2] A first-half Carlos Aranda strike and a safe conversion from the penalty spot by Julio Baptista decided the game. Sevilla and 2. Bundesliga side Aachen are among four sides in the group on three points, along with LOSC Lille Métropole and FC Zenit St. Peterburg.
Aranda added
[3] Joaquín Caparrós handed a start to striker Aranda and he repaid the Sevilla coach by hitting the opening goal after just seven minutes. The move began with Jesús Navas, who broke down the right before sending in a low centre that Baptista hit directly at goalkeeper Stephan Straub. Aranda was first to pounce, tucking home the rebound. Then, moments later he almost doubled the lead with an audacious lob.
Staub stops
[4] The home side piled more pressure on, controlling the game from midfield, but found Straub in fine form, blocking a fierce header from Baptista before fending off a Navas effort at the start of the second half. The Aachen keeper also had to react quickly to push clear a Renato free-kick after the Brazilian had struck the crossbar.
Penalty awarded
[5] Sevilla were eventually rewarded for their efforts when Baptista was pushed by Moses Sichone as he was winding up to shoot on 77 minutes. The Brazilian strode up to take the spot-kick himself, foxing Straub by tucking the ball to the left.
Russian opposition
[6] Both clubs meet the same rivals in their next outing - Sevilla travel to Zenit on 25 November while Aachen, who sit out Matchday 3, entertain the Russian side the following week.
Sevilla's Julio Baptista (left) tussles with Reiner Plasshenrich