Sevilla beats Getafe 2-0 in first leg
Sevilla beat Getafe 2-0 in the first leg of the Copa del Rey
semifinals with a strike from Luis Fabiano and an own goal by Pedro
"Mario" Alvarez on Wednesday.
Fabiano's looping header beat goalkeeper Oscar Ustari after
Adriano crossed from the right in the 45th minute. The striker
celebrated by putting a trilby hat on his head in tribute to club
president Jose Maria del Nido.
In the 80th, Jesus Navas sprinted outside Jose Manuel Jimenez
and delivered a low cross which bounced in off defender Alvarez.
Atletico Madrid hosts Racing Santander in the second
semifinal on Thursday. The return legs will be played next week.
Getafe, finalist in 2007 and 2008, had most of the chances in
the first half in wet conditions at Sevilla's Sanchez Pizjuan
Stadium, with Pedro Leon on the right of midfield repeatedly
unnerving the host's defense.
Manuel del Moral drew two saves in succession from Andres
Palop early on and looked certain to score in the 27th as he slid
in to meet Daniel Parejo's cross until Adriano made a last-ditch
interception.
Palop denied Getafe again when he stretched to get a hand to
Franciso Casquero's shot from outside the area.
The 2007 champions created chances on the break, however,
with Jesus Navas and Diego Perotti a threat on the wings. In the
41st Ustari made a spectacular save from Fabiano's point-blank
volley after Navas put the Fabiano through.
Sevilla coach Manolo Jimenez withdrew striker Alvaro Negredo
after 36 minutes, replacing him with Koffi Romaric to bolster the
midfield. Frederic Kanoute went on for the injured Fabiano in the
68th.
Fabiano's goal settled Sevilla's nerves and the host took
control in the last half hour.