|
|
|
 |
 |
| Nene stuns Sevilla |
 |
Paris St Germain enjoyed the ideal start to their Europa League campaign after stunning highly-fancied Sevilla with a 1-0 win at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.
Nene struck the only goal of the game 14 minutes from time to leave PSG in a good position in what looks to be one of the toughest pools, with Borussia Dortmund and Karpaty Lviv the other clubs in Group J.
The victory is a notable scalp for PSG, with Sevilla having won the UEFA Cup in 2006 and 2007 and who started this season in the Champions League before being surprisingly knocked out by Braga at the play-off stage.
Sevilla threatened first through new defender Alexis while young midfielder Jose Carlos and prolific striker Luis Fabiano both tried their luck as the hosts enjoyed a decent start.
However, PSG soon had the host's veteran goalkeeper Andres Palop under pressure, with Nene, Clement Chantome and Mevlut Erdinc all having efforts on goal without being able to find the back of the net.
Sevilla coach Antonio Alvarez clearly felt something needed to change following the first half and he made a double substitution at the break, bringing on Frederic Kanoute and Tiberio Guarente.
Alvarez then made his third and final change on the hour mark with Diego Perotti coming on for Diego Capel.
Just prior to that third switch, Spain winger Capel had been handed an opening but he fired wide at the far post.
PSG were still looking dangerous going forward as well though, and Erdinc sent a shot wide from the edge of the box in the 64th minute.
The goal that would end up deciding the game arrived 10 minutes later.
A PSG counter-attack ended with Jeremy Clement feeding the ball to Brazilian Nene who, fresh from his two-goal showing in Saturday`s 4-0 Ligue 1 win over Arles-Avignon, found the back of the net despite Palop`s best efforts.
Nene, who should have been no stranger to Sevilla having played for Real Mallorca, Alaves, Celta Vigo and Espanyol in Spain, made way soon after that for Guillaume Hoarau but he had done his job as Antoine Kombouare's side held on for an impressive victory.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
