3 things we learned from Sevilla’s 2-1 win over Leicester City

Sevilla will take a 2-1 lead to Leicester for the second leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie in three weeks time. The Spanish side were comfortably the better side in the opening encounter at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán on Wednesday, but Jamie Vardy’s late away goal ensures the tie is not yet over.

An impressive Sevilla scarcely needed any help from Leicester, but that didn’t stop Foxes fullback Christian Fuchs offering his assistance in the first few minutes of play. His defensive diving header caused problems for teammate and goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, who had to quickly scramble to his right to prevent an early own goal.

Also in a generous mood was Fuchs’ teammate Wes Morgan, who presented Sevilla with their first gilt-edged chance inside a quarter-of-an-hour. His clumsy intervention on Sevilla attacker Joaquín Correa left the referee with no choice but to point to the penalty spot, and once again Schmeichel had to come to the rescue and save the Argentine’s subsequent spot kick.

It took a while, but midway through the first half Sevilla did finally have their breakthrough. A cross from Sergio Escudero looked too deep to cause trouble, but a looping header by Pablo Sarabia was sufficiently accurate to creep inside the Foxes’ far post. Having already ridden their luck, Leicester could have no complaints.

Indeed, they were fortunate to only be one down at the interval, with a deflected Stevan Jovetić shot and a low Correa drive both kept out by Schmeichel when they could have easily gone in.

Sevilla’s momentum lasted beyond the halftime break, and they almost added a second within five minutes of the restart. A great Samir Nasri through ball found Vitolo in space, though the midfielder’s near-post effort bounced off the post and across the face of goal.

As it was, they only had to wait until just past the hour before doubling the lead. Correa made amends for his early penalty miss by netting the second, at the end of a quick counter that sliced through the Leicester defense with depressing predictability. Jovetić laid the ball off to his attacking counterpart, who was left with the simple task of converting from close range. He made no mistake.

It looked like Leicester would finish with a whimper, though they had other ideas. They revived the tie against the odds inside the final 20 minutes, when Danny Drinkwater’s low cross from the left was tapped home by Vardy. Having offered almost no attacking threat for the entire match, Leicester had suddenly brought the tie back to life.

Sevilla created a number of openings in the final few minutes, but couldn’t capitalize on any of them. They’ll still feel in a good position heading into the second leg, but will certainly be kicking themselves for allowing Leicester back into the tie.

Sevilla: Sergio Rico; Sergio Escudero, Clément Lenglet (Daniel Carriço 55’), Adil Rami, Mariano Ferreira; Steven N’Zonzi; Vitolo, Samir Nasri, Joaquín Correa (Vicente Iborra 63’), Pablo Sarabia; Stevan Jovetić.

Goals: Sarabia (25’), Correa (62’).

Leicester City: Kasper Schmeichel; Christian Fuchs, Robert Huth, Wes Morgan, Danny Simpson; Wilfred Ndidi, Danny Drinkwater; Marc Albrighton (Daniel Amartey 88’), Riyad Mahrez, Ahmed Musa (Demarai Gray 58’); Jamie Vardy.

Goals: Vardy (73’).

1. Sevilla are an impressive defensive unit...

Sevilla coach Jorge Sampaoli has made his name as a swashbuckling, attack-minded tactician in the mould of the great Marcelo Bielsa. However, just as impressive as their fluid possession football is their outstanding pressing game. Perhaps no team in world football is as good without the ball as Sevilla at present. Leicester have made their name as a very dangerous counter-attacking side under Claudio Ranieri, though in this match they hardly had a sniff of goal. Sevilla have kept five clean sheets in their seven Champions League fixtures this season, and paid the price for their sole lapse here. They’re a very good side indeed, and head into the second leg as strong favorites.

2. … but an away goal gives Leicester faint hope

There’s no doubt that Sevilla are the better of these two teams, nor that the Spanish side should’ve won by a more comfortable margin. However, Jamie Vardy’s late goal is sure to have planted some small seeds of doubt in their minds ahead of the reverse fixture in England in a few weeks time. Leicester’s remarkable run to the Premier League title last season was the perfect demonstration of quite how important mentality is in football. They’ll be looking to offer another example when they come out of the blocks in front of their home supporters in the second leg. They’re down, but not yet out.

3. Big teams could be queuing up for Kasper Schmeichel come the summer

Should the catastrophic happen to Leicester City this season, and they end up being relegated from the Premier League as reigning champions, goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel will surely be on his way out. The 30-year-old Dane was at his very best in this game, with only his sharp reflexes preventing Sevilla from scoring four or five in the first half alone. He’s certainly got the ability to play at this level consistently, and the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal would surely be interested in making a move.