Sevilla edge Ceuta 2-1 in closed-door friendly as Miguel Sierra and Peque break deadlock
Sevilla vs Ceuta friendly: Sevilla defeated Ceuta 2-1 in a closed-door preseason match as Peque and Miguel Sierra net the club’s first open-play goals of the summer.
Sevilla edge Ceuta 2-1 in closed-door friendly
Sevilla beat Ceuta 2-1 in their fourth preseason friendly, with Peque and Miguel Sierra scoring the decisive goals. The victory provided a welcome end to a run of goalless open-play minutes in the early stages of the club’s summer build-up.
The match at the Jesús Navas stadium was played behind closed doors and offered manager Luis García Plaza a clearer look at his preferred starters. Ceuta pulled level through Anuar before Miguel Sierra restored Sevilla’s lead late in the game.
Bench drama and managerial subplot
The fixture carried extra interest off the pitch with José Juan Romero in Ceuta’s dugout, a coach linked in speculation to a possible arrival at Sevilla during a reported takeover scenario. Rumours that Sergio Ramos might consider Romero as a candidate if he took control added a layer of intrigue, though García Plaza remains in charge at Sevilla.
García Plaza fielded a recognizable starting XI and included the club’s three summer signings, alongside goalkeeper Odysseas. Sevilla’s selection suggested the coach is balancing competitive minutes for new arrivals with continuity among established players.
First-half frustrations and flashes of quality
Sevilla controlled possession for long periods in the opening 45 minutes but struggled to convert territorial dominance into clear chances. The team’s attacking play lacked penetration until sporadic moments from Manuel Ángel, Guridi and Miguel Sierra hinted at better combinations to come.
Ceuta showed a clear identity in possession and defended compactly, offering intermittent danger through Camacho on the break. Guridi’s long-range attempt tested Vallejo, while Juan Iglesias and Manuel Ángel produced a few promising sequences that failed to yield a goal before halftime.
Second-half goals and decisive moments
The match opened up after the interval when Luis García Plaza introduced Nico Guillén to inject energy into the midfield. Guillén’s presence changed the rhythm and generated more forward movements, culminating in a series of meaningful attacking plays.
Sevilla took the lead in the 65th minute when Manuel Ángel’s build-up on the left ended with a low, incisive cut-back that Peque cushioned into the net. The advantage was short-lived as Sadiq engineered a deep run and found Anuar, who capitalized on a momentary defensive lapse to equalize three minutes later. Miguel Sierra, however, produced the decisive contribution from a well-constructed move involving youth players: Guillén’s long pass found Jesuly, who released Sierra to finish past Pedro López and seal a 2-1 win in the 78th minute.
Standout performers and youth impact
Miguel Sierra emerged as one of the match’s most important figures, scoring his second goal of the preseason and demonstrating intelligent movement behind the defensive line. Peque’s contribution ended Sevilla’s drought of open-play finishes and underlined the value of rotation for finding attacking solutions.
The pairing of Sangante and Juan Iglesias at center-back drew positive notices for their organization and handling of direct threats. Nico Guillén and Jesuly from the academy combined effectively in the decisive move, highlighting Sevilla’s continued reliance on youth integration during summer fixtures.
Lineups, discipline and injury update
García Plaza’s lineup featured Vallejo in goal, a back four of Petxarroman, Carlos Hernández, Daniel Más and Matos, and a midfield core of Kuki Zalazar, Josema and Marino. The forward line included Cedric, Álex Camacho and Sadik, with a bench that supplied Nico Guillén, Ibra Sow, Manu Bueno, Jesuly and others during the second half.
Ceuta’s starting XI included Pedro López, Anuar, Capa, Bodiger and Sergio Veces, with additions such as Petxarroman, Camacho and Sadik among their summer recruits. The referee, Camacho Garrote, issued cautions during the match and booked players including Cedric, Agoumé and Ibra Sow.
Sevilla reported a contusion to Oso’s right quadriceps that kept him out of the matchday squad, while Julio Iglesias was used as a left-sided center-back option. There were no fresh long-term concerns announced, and the coaching staff appeared satisfied with the physical responses to the fixture.
Preseason schedule and next steps for Sevilla
Luis García Plaza will take his squad to the Netherlands for a training camp that runs through August 7, a stage that will feature three more friendlies as part of final preparations. The team is scheduled to face Bayer Leverkusen in Germany on August 8, a high-profile test set exactly one week before Sevilla’s LaLiga opener against Rayo Vallecano at the Sánchez-Pizjuán.
Ruben Vargas and Ibra Sow are expected to rejoin the group for the latter stages of the preseason, offering additional options as García Plaza finalizes his available roster. The coaching staff emphasized the importance of game rhythm and tactical understanding over immediate results during this period.
Sevilla will use the remainder of the summer to refine transitions, sharpen set-piece routines and continue integrating new signings into the established tactical framework. The combination of veteran leadership and academy prospects will be vital as the club seeks continuity into the competitive season.
Sevilla’s closed-door win over Ceuta provided practical minutes for players contesting spots in the matchday squad, revealed encouraging interplay from youth prospects, and delivered a confidence-boosting end to a match that had threatened to settle as a stalemate.
