The first leg of the last-32 Europa League clash between Maribor and Sevilla took place in Slovenia this evening.
A smart finish from Marcos Tavares left the home side with a one-goal lead at the half-time interval.
Kevin Gameiro levelled for Sevilla in the early stages of the second period, before Federico Fazio moved the away side 2-1 ahead after 72 minutes.
Maribor were not finished, however, and made it 2-2 late on when Dare Vrsic rifled one into the bottom corner.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Our Europa League last-32 coverage continues this evening as Maribor welcome Sevilla to Slovenia for the first leg. The home side are into the round of 32 for the first time in their history and booked their spot at this stage of the competition by finishing second behind Russian outfit Rubin Kazan in Group D.
Maribor's four previous games against Spanish opponents have brought one win, one draw and two defeats. Meanwhile, the Slovenian outfit enter the match having won just one of their last five European home matches, with that victory coming against Wigan Athletic on matchday six of the group stages. In terms of their domestic season, they sit top of the Slovenian league with 38 points from 19 games.
Sevilla, meanwhile, are unbeaten in ten European games this season, winning seven of those matches in the process. However, the Spanish outfit, who won the competition in both 2006 and 2007, have not progressed from a two-legged European affair in their last three attempts. In La Liga, Sevilla are without a win in their last six matches, but still sit seventh.
TEAMS:
MARIBOR: Handanovic; Rajcevic, Viler, Arghus, Filipovic; Milec, Mezga; Dervisevic, Bohar, Tavares; Mendy
SEVILLA: Varas; Diogo, Fazio, Pareja, Navarro; Cristoforo, Carrico; Vitolo, Rakitic, Cheryshev; Gameiro
So there we have it. Marcos Tavares and Mendy both start for the home side this evening, while Milec and Dervisevic line up in midfield. Sevilla, meanwhile, leave Carlos Bacca and Alberto Moreno on their bench, but there are starts for Kevin Gameiro and skipper Ivan Rakitic.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. Just a reminder that nothing will be decided this evening with the second leg to come next week. The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. Sevilla get the action underway.
It must be said that there is a sensational atmosphere inside the stadium. That has not always been the case in the Europa League, but all the signs are that we will have a pulsating clash in Slovenia. It is Sevilla that have taken control of the early possession with Rakitic and Vitolo enjoying touches of the ball in the opposition half.
Incredible intensity to the opening four minutes with a battle already occurring in the middle of the park. Referees have been the centre of attention in Europe over the last couple of nights. Let's hope that is not the case this evening. Still goalless with four minutes on the clock.
Bright spell for Sevilla in the last couple of moments as the Spanish outfit force two corners in quick succession. However, Viler and Mezga take it in turns to clear the danger. Marcos Tavares is the target from a Bohar through pass, but Javi Varas is out to take control of the situation.
The early atmosphere has been quietened by Sevilla, who have taken control of the possession in the last couple of moments. The Spanish outfit call for a free kick just outside the box when Vitolo is felled by Mezga, but the referee is not interested. Down the other end, Mendy is denied by a fine challenge from Fazio.
Sevilla continue to look the more inventive in the final third with Cristoforo and Vitolo combining to good effect. The former has a sight of goal after finding space outside the box, but his effort is straight at Handanovic. Not too much from the home side in terms of an attacking threat.
CHANCE! The home supporters rise to their feet as Mendy drops his shoulder before thumping an effort towards the near post, but it just moves wide of the goal. Brilliant work from the Frenchman, who has been a bright spark in the opening 13 minutes.
Slightly untidy period of the match in the last couple of moments due to a number of late challenges. Diogo receives a period of treatment following a lunge, but the Sevilla defender does return to the field. Maribor have upped their tempo in the last minute or two, but Varas has not really been tested in the opening 15 minutes.
Possession football from Sevilla as they continue to keep the ball in the Maribor half, but the home side have been stern in defensive areas thus far. Just a reminder that nothing will be decided this evening with the second leg to come at the Estadio Ramon next week.
A powerful free kick from Rakitic causes a problem in the Maribor box, but Viler manages to head behind at the vital moment. The resulting corner is delivered short before Rakitic strikes on goal, but Arghus is on hand to make a fine block as the Sevilla pressure continues.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments, but Sevilla remain in control of the possession. It is almost as if the Spanish side are the home team, with Maribor playing on the counter. Mezga has a strike on goal following a break, but Sevilla stopper Varas makes the save.
The stop-start period of the match continues as Sevilla's on-loan Real Madrid forward Cheryshev hits the deck in the middle of the pitch. However, the Russian returns to the field moments later. Still goalless with 24 minutes on the clock, but the match has been played at a high intensity in Slovenia.
A late challenge from Arghus on Cheryshev presents Sevilla with a free kick some 30 yards from goal. As expected, the skipper Rakitic stands over the set piece, but his effort brings a free kick for the home side as goalkeeper Handanovic is bundled over inside the area.
Neither side has really been allowed to put together any sort of pressure thus far due to the number of fouls. Sevilla have another free kick some 40 yards from goal, which Rakitic delivers, but Fazio cannot make contact under pressure from Viler and it moves out for a goal kick.
Half-chance for Sevilla as Vitolo collects a through pass from Rakitic before drilling a low cross into the box, but Handanovic comes to collect. Maribor are down the other end with Mendy moments later, but his effort whistles wide of the post.
The home side continue to carry a threat with the pace and running of Mendy and Marcos, but not too much is coming through their midfield. It is the opposite for Sevilla with Rakitic controlling the tempo from the middle of the park. Still goalless with little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining.
GOAL! Maribor 1-0 Sevilla (Marcos)
The home side take the lead with 33 minutes on the clock as Marcos Tavares turns home from inside the box following a brilliant run and cross from Milec. The stadium has erupted!
Well, Sevilla have arguably been the better team, but Maribor have the lead in the latter stages of the first period. It is no surprise that the goal came from Marcos, who has been a livewire thus far. Can Sevilla launch an immediate response?
Rakitic continues to threaten for Sevilla with a series of crosses into the Maribor box, but the home side have been aerially dominant in the opening 38 minutes. It must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium this evening. This is what you want to see in the Europa League. Not empty stadiums!
Half-chance for Sevilla as Vitolo finds some space inside the Maribor box before delivering a low cross towards Gameiro, but Handanovic is on hand to collect at the vital moment. Not too much from Maribor in terms of an attacking intent since they took the lead through Marcos.
Half-chance for the home side this time as Viler comes forward from defence before striking towards goal, but Varas is on hand to make the save. Sevilla make a change in the latter stages of the half as Marin enters the field for Cheryshev, who picked up a knock in the early stages. I assume it is forced rather than tactical.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Sevilla on the stroke of the interval as Gameiro meets a loose ball inside the box, but his flick is straight into the arms of the goalkeeper. What a chance.
HALF-TIME: Maribor 1-0 Sevilla
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with Maribor leading courtesy of a smart finish from Marcos after 33 minutes. Sevilla enjoyed the better of the early moments, but have found it difficult to fashion clear opportunities. It is delicately poised in Slovenia.
STATISTICS: Sevilla have had more of the ball with 57%, but they have had just two attempts to Maribor's five. It has been a feisty half in terms of challenges, meanwhile, with the referee issuing two yellow cards. Let's hope that the intensity continues in the second 45 minutes.
BENCH WATCH: The home side have a number of attacking options on their bench this evening in the shape of Mejac, Lahovic and Vuklisevic. Meanwhile, Sevilla have already been forced into one change with Marin replacing Cheryshev. The Spanish outfit also have the likes of Alberto Moreno, Carlos Bacca and Trochowski in reserve.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second 45 minutes. You just get the feeling that we have not seen the last of the goals this evening. Let's hope for more entertainment as Maribor get the action underway on their own patch.
No changes for either side at the interval, which is not much of a surprise at this stage of proceedings. However, I suspect that both managers will consider alterations if the score remains 1-0 for the next 20 minutes or so. Surely Sevilla boss Unai Emery will have demanded more from his players during his half-time team-talk.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Sevilla in the early stages of the second period as Marin slides in Gameiro, who drives into the Maribor box before attempting to roll his effort under the goalkeeper, but Handanovic is on hand to make a fine save. Well, that is certainly better from the Spanish outfit.
GOAL! Maribor 1-1 Sevilla (Gameiro)
Well, Gameiro missed a clear chance moments ago, but he has not missed this time. The Frenchman levels the score as he converts a Rakitic cross at the far post.
End-to-end football in the last couple of moments with both sides forcing the issue in the final third. Maribor have a half-chance as Viler delivers a low cross towards Marcos, but Pareja is on hand to clear at the vital moment.
It's brilliant work from Mendy as the Frenchman drives through the legs of Pareja, but the Sevilla defender, who has been booked, brings him to the ground. The resulting set piece is taken by Marcos, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. Opportunities at either end with 53 minutes on the clock.
Another half-chance for the home side, this time for Dervisevic, but the midfielder's effort is high and wide of the crossbar following a powerful run. Sevilla enjoy a possession of the ball moments later, but Gameiro runs into an offside position following bright work from Marin.
The stunning atmosphere inside the stadium continues with those in attendance certainly enjoying the end-to-end football on display. In truth, Sevilla look much the better team in possession of the ball, but Maribor have such a threat on the counter with the pace and movement of Marcos and Mendy. Little over 30 minutes of football remaining.
Not too much to report in terms of clear chances in the last few moments with both sides guilty of losing possession too easily in the final third. Valencia make their second change of the match moments later as Iborra replaces Pareja, who has been booked. That is a smart change from Unai Emery.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side as Viler delivers a wicked cross between the two Sevilla centre-backs, but neither Marcos nor Mendy can make contact. That should have been 2-1.
CHANCE! Another incredible opportunity for the home side as Bohar finds himself all alone inside the Sevilla box, but the Slovenian curls his effort just wide of the post.
One-way traffic in the last five minutes or so as the home side continue to force the issue in wide positions. In truth, a 1-1 draw would not be the worst result for either of these two sides, but it would certainly favour Sevilla ahead of the second leg at the Mestalla.
The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of minutes due to a number of late challenges. It is the Sevilla supporters that are now making most of the noise with little over 20 minutes of football remaining. Is there to be a winner in this match? You have to expect that chances will arrive as the half enters its latter stages.
Half-chance for Sevilla as Rakitic spots the run of Gameiro before sliding a pass towards the Frenchman, but Handanovic is out to collect at the vital moment. Mendy puts the pressure on Diogo down the other end, but fells the Portuguese as Sevilla receive a period of respite.
GOAL! Maribor 1-2 Sevilla (Fazio)
Sevilla have their second with little over 15 minutes remaining as Fazio converts a Rakitic corner from close range. The turnaround is complete.
In truth, Sevilla looked by far the better team this evening, especially in possession of the ball. Maribor have had their moments on the counter attack, but the tempo has been set by the Spanish side, who have two away goals to their name.
Another half-chance for Sevilla as Rakitic finds some space outside the box before striking towards goal, but his effort deflects high and wide of the crossbar. The resulting corner is delivered by Rakitic, but Mendy is on hand to clear at the near post. Moments later, the home side make a change as Vrsic replaces Mezga.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments with Sevilla more than content to keep possession in their own half. You just get the feeling that there is another goal in this match with more than 10 minutes still to play in Slovenia.
Rakitic continues to look the most likely for Sevilla as the Croatian combines with Gameiro before striking one from the edge of the box, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. Rakitic, once more, has been the star of the show this evening. It is understood that the skipper is close to signing a new contract at the Estadio Ramon.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the away side as Gameiro finds Marin just inside the Maribor box, the German attempts to lift his effort over the goalkeeper, but he hits the side netting.
GOAL! Maribor 2-2 Sevilla (Vrsic)
The home side level after 82 minutes as Vrsic finds some space outside the box before striking a powerful effort into the bottom corner. The stadium has erupted!
Sevilla make their third and final change with little over five minutes remaining as Trochowski replaces Cristoforo. Rakitic threatens once more for the away side with a deep cross into the box, but Gameiro cannot rise high enough under pressure from Mezga.
Incredible ovation from the home supporters as Mendy exits the field for Fajic. Little over two minutes of football remaining on what has been a wonderful night in Slovenia. You just get the feeling that there might be time for one more piece of drama.
Another change for the home side as Cvijanovic replaces Dervisevic. Sevilla are in control of the possession, but neither side has tested the opposition goalkeeper since Maribor levelled.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Sevilla as the ball sits up nicely for Iborra inside the box, but his effort is straight into the arms of Handanovic. Hardly time to take a breath here as the intensity continues to rise.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional two minutes and we are indeed into the second of those. Sevilla have a free kick as Marin is felled by Vrsic, but the set piece from Rakitic is collected by Handanovic. That should be just about that.
FULL-TIME: Maribor 2-2 Sevilla
So there we have it. The referee brings the match to an end with the two sides level at 2-2. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to stick around the site for all the reaction from tonight's Europa League fixtures. Good evening!
