SEVILLE, Spain, Aug 11 (Reuters) - King's Cup winners
Sevilla beat league champions Real Madrid 1-0 to spoil Bernd
Schuster's competitive debut as coach in the first leg of the
Spanish Super Cup on Saturday. The traditional curtain-raiser to
the new season swung Sevilla's way when Brazilian striker Luis
Fabiano converted a penalty in the 27th minute. Juande Ramos's side
were stronger throughout and denied Schuster once again, having
condemned him to a 1-0 defeat at the King's Cup final in June when
he was coach of Getafe.
"Sevilla are a tough team who have been together for a long time,"
said Schuster. "For us it is a little different but it will come.
"I can see us improving little by little and am not too worried. I
am confident there will be one or two new players brought in to
improve the squad and to help us achieve our objectives."
The home side were quicker out of the blocks and Luis Fabiano
forced Iker Casillas into a sharp save in a one-on-one after three
minutes. Sevilla goalkeeper Andres Palop was soon in action at the
other end, pushing the ball away from the feet of Raul after he
dispossessed new loan signing Khalid Boulahrouz.
But it was a rare moment of danger for Sevilla, who took the lead
when Renato set Duda through on goal and the Portuguese midfielder
was brought down from behind by Sergio Ramos. Ramos was lucky not
to see a red card and Luis Fabiano slotted the resulting penalty.
Luis Fabiano then hooked a shot wide after Casillas fumbled a free
kick before halftime.
With last season's top scorer Ruud van Nistelrooy injured, Schuster
brought on Julio Baptista and then Javier Saviola to join Raul up
front in the second half to chase the game. Brazilian forward
Robinho created Real's best moments but chances remained scarce as
Sevilla soaked up the pressure and threatened on the break.
In the final minute Palop prevented a last-gasp equaliser when he
dived full length to turn Mali midfielder Mahamadou Diarra's low
drive round the post. The return leg is at the Bernabeu on Aug.
19.
