Sevilla 3-2 Real Madrid: Five talking points

Real Madrid were condemned to their first defeat of the season as they were beaten 3-2 by a resilient Sevilla at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, to cede top spot to arch-rivals Barcelona heading into the Clasico post the international break.A spectacular overhead kick by Sergio Ramos put the visitors ahead inside the first quarter of the game, but on-loan Borussia Dortmund striker Ciro Immobile made sure the hosts go into the break level on terms with a sizzling effort from a tight angle.Ever Banega then put the reigning Europa League champions ahead around the hour mark after some shambolic defending from the visitors, before Fernando Llorente struck their third to put the game firmly in their control.With all three points at stake and El Clasico looming right in the subsequent fixture, Los Blancos pulled one back through a returning James Rodriguez, but it proved nothing more than a consolation as Real Madrid saw their undefeated record come to an end.Here are the five talking points from the five-goal thriller in Seville.

#1 Out-of-sorts Real Madrid

Real Madrid have by far, been the best defensive team in Europe this season. Having conceded a measly three in the opening 10 games, the capital club appeared defensively resolute and much of their success this term was largely down to their stout rump.

However, none of that was on show against Sevilla. After staving off the hosts in the opening exchanges, Real Madrid had their defence in no man’s land for large spells of the game. The opening goal was a result of some poor man-marking by the visitors, as was the case with the second.

Sevilla took time to find their footing in the game, but once they did, there was no stopping them. Los Nervionenses had Los Blancos by their throat, and restricted them to only long distance passes and shots. Ronaldo was effectively boxed up, whereas Bale’s heroics proved short.

It started well for the Madrid outfit, but it all began going downhill arguably after the half hour mark. With Barcelona now leading them by three points at the top, Real Madrid have to go back to the drawing board before they come out fit and firing again for the El Clasico.

#2 Ramos strikes at a price

While the game against PSG saw Nacho emerging the unlikely hero, this game saw defender Sergio Ramos in those shoes. The centre-back launched a magnificent bicycle kick from a corner by Luka Modric that flew past Rico into the back of the net. The goal put the visitors ahead, but at a cost.

Following the effort, Ramos dropped to the ground with a thud, injuring the shoulder that had kept him out of action for nearly 50 days. Having only returned from the injury this week, the Spaniard appeared to have aggravated his shoulder problem in his attempt to score a goal.

While he did manage to return to the field and continue playing, he lasted for only eight minutes more as then the skipper had to be subbed off. With him off, the rigidity of Real’s backline dissolved, and he now will be ruled out of Spain’s tantalizing friendlies with England and Belgium.

However, what’s more of a concern is that Ramos now remains a doubt for the sensational clash against Barcelona at home in two weeks time.

#3 Bale back with a bang

The return of Gareth Bale to the fold galvanized the visitors and it was set to add more firepower to the attack. While Real Madrid still ended up on the losing side, Bale’s performance has surely raised a few spirits in the white half of the Spanish capital, keeping the mood optimistic ahead of the El Clasico.

The Welshman started on the left of Cristiano Ronaldo, and outshone the Portuguese star. The most expensive player was one of their better players going forward during the early exchanges and had nearly managed to find the net on two occasions in the first stanza.

With Ronaldo tamed by the Sevillistas, Bale switched gears and caused all sorts of problems to the home side. He regularly popped up in the centre, a position that his Portuguese counter-part was operating from in Benzema’s absence, and stemmed most of his side’s threat.

It was unfortunate he failed to find the net, but Bale made a sparkling return from injury and playing in such vein will give Barcelona a tough time when they come to town.

#4 Nacho filling Marcelo\'s void in attack

Having failed to earn proper game time under Carlo Ancelotti, Nacho has stepped up to the plate under the tutelage of Rafael Benitez, who has shown faith in the youngster and handed him opportunities.

With Marcelo recuperating on the treatment table, the Blancos defender started the game in Seville and plugged the gap left by the Brazilian fullback by contributing on the offensive front. Nacho came close to breaking the deadlock when he lashed a ferocious shot 25 yards out that was ricocheted off the crossbar with Rico beaten.

Had the ball found the back of the net, Nacho would have put himself in an another stratosphere altogether. Nonetheless, the 25-year old made his presence felt from the flanks, scything down the channels and laying the ball off in dangerous areas.

The only facet that he must now focus on is burnishing his defending credentials, something that was under the wraps last night. Nacho has proved he can add a cutting edge to the attack just like Marcelo, but needs to polish his defensive duties as well to truly shine.

#5 Ciro scores, but can do better

Following a disappointing season in Dortmund, Italy striker Ciro Immobile moved to Sevilla for pastures anew atleast for a season. Although the loan move was yet to click into gear, it surely did here as the former Torino hitman spurred the home side on with a terrific strike from the egde of the box.

Immobile had missed two good chances early in the game, but made up more than enough for that by snatching the crucial equalizer just minutes after the half hour mark. Latching on to a loose ball after some lazy defending from Real Madrid during a corner, an unmarked Immobile sprinted a few steps to slip the ball past Casilla from a really tight angle, sending the Ramon Sanchez into absolute delirium.

While Ever Banega and Fernando Lorente followed suit later on, the Italian could have and should have, won the game all by himself with the kind of opportunites that came his way. His time in Spain hasn’t been so great thus far, but this goal showcased how impactful he can be in big games.