Osasuna threatened when Enzo Boyomo sent a corner header wide. Moi Gómez and Ante Budimir also missed, but Sevilla weathered the early pressure and struck first in the 24th minute. Youssouf Fofana helped create the opening for Romero, whose shot from outside the area beat the visitors’ defence.
Luis García Plaza acknowledged that his side took time to read Osasuna’s approach.
“At the beginning it was difficult for us. The other day against Racing they were much more direct, and we thought that pressing with two strikers would be enough to win the second ball. However, they played more combinations and it was difficult for us to read. Once we adjusted, the team was very good,” he said.
“The first half was very good. After those 20 minutes we were playing in the opposition half, always very high up the pitch. Then, at the start of the second half, it was normal for them to press a little, but we controlled the match. I think we were short of goals in front of their goal and it was a deserved victory.”
Osasuna coach Jagoba Arrasate accepted that his side had been second best. “The defeat is fair, Sevilla are worthy winners,” he said. Arrasate felt his team had lost fluency after a promising start and had become too predictable in possession.
“When we moved the ball quickly, we had opportunities and more options, but they are a very intense team, they defend by pushing forward, and we have to accept reality. Sevilla are better than us at the moment, especially at defending in that way. We have to learn from the defeat and move on,” Arrasate said.
Arrasate said he had anticipated a two-striker setup, but acknowledged that Sevilla’s midfield allowed them to switch systems and that the home side’s approach ultimately worked tactically to their advantage.
Osasuna tried to increase the pressure after the interval, but Sevilla continued to find space. Juan Iglesias struck the post, while goalkeeper Aitor Fernández kept the score down with saves from Chidera Ejuke and Kike Salas.
The hosts settled the contest in the 82nd minute. Fofana drove a counter-attack forward and Félix Correia finished from the left side of the penalty area, doubling the lead and confirming Sevilla’s fifth league win of the campaign.
Sevilla moved into sixth place with 17 points after ending a three-match winless run. Osasuna stayed on 11 points, unable to turn their start into sustained attacking pressure.