Zakharyan cannot be blamed for the Society’s new defeat. But the team’s situation is getting worse.
Nikita Paglazov March 2, 2024, 18:35 Moscow time Audio version: Your browser does not support the audio element.
Sevilla, with Sergio Ramos, crushed the Basques and moved away from the relegation zone. If this continues, Arsene will be left without European competition for the new season.
Real Sociedad and Sevilla disappoint the fans this season. If the Basques started the championship well and even reached the playoffs of the Champions League, then there was a relegation. The recent and painful elimination of Mallorca from the Spanish Cup is another negative episode. Sevilla is fighting for survival, although it won the Europa League in May 2024. The Andalusians are slightly ahead of 18th place, but for their own safety they need to consistently score points. How was the match between two problematic teams?
In the starting lineup was Real Sociedad’s Russian midfielder Arsen Zakharyan. This is the third consecutive match for the 20-year-old Russian from the first minutes. The Sevilla defense, led by Sergio Ramos, had to face Arsène, a serious test. But at the start of the match it was Sociedad’s defense that crumbled. In the 11th minute, Sevilla striker Youssef En-Nesyri opened the scoring. After a corner kick, visiting goalkeeper Alex Remiro saved, but the Moroccan took advantage of the rebound and finished from close range.
After Youssef En-Nesyri’s goal
Photo: Fran Santiago/Getty Images
And after a couple of minutes En-Nesyri scored a double. He decided to shoot from an acute angle and the ball, betrayed by Remiro, “went through” his hands. Did anyone expect Sevilla to score two goals in 13 minutes? Bad start for Zakharyan’s team.
And after the second goal, Sevilla did not calm down. For about 10 more minutes the Andalusians put pressure on Sociedad, but failed to make the score devastating. Halfway through the half the pace dropped, but the Basques held on. Zakharyan was one of Real Sociedad’s most active players in the first 45 minutes. The Russian actively served from the wing, took free kicks, participated in positional attacks and once made a good shot at the Sevilla goal. But home goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland took the ball from the corner. Overall, it’s hard to blame Arsene for the 0-2 score.
Arsen Zakharyan
Photo: José Manuel Álvarez/Getty Images
In the last minute of the half Sociedad had a great chance. Sevilla captain Sergio Ramos played with his hand in his own area. The referee awarded a penalty that the Basque striker André Silva safely converted. 1:2 – and an opportunity for salvation appeared.
But in the second half the Society did not seem to have enough strength. Sevilla had the advantage, although they themselves did not create many chances. Guest coach Imanol Alguacil replaced Zakharyan in the 60th minute. In an hour on the field, Arsen can safely be given a four. But the Society still had no chance. But in the 66th minute, Sergio Ramos scored in classic style with a header after a cross from the right wing. And the situation for the Basques became extremely difficult.
The complete broadcast of the Spanish Primera match and the best moments are available on Okko.
At the end of the match, Sevilla was quite close to scoring. The Society seemed to have accepted defeat. However, in the 90+1 minute, midfielder Bryce Méndez, who replaced Zakharyan, scored from a free kick. In the episode, Sevilla goalkeeper Nyland made a mistake and took another step in the opposite direction. And Sociedad unexpectedly had the opportunity to equalize. But I didn’t use it.
How Sociedad was left out of the Spanish Cup:
Real Sociedad drama in the penalty shootout. Zakharyan was left without a trophy!
Real Sociedad is moving further and further away from the possibility of playing in European competition next season. The team did not qualify for the First Division, Spanish Cup and Champions League. And Sevilla scored the most important points, strengthening their position in the fight for survival.
