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Sevilla players celebrate in front of empty stands at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan after defeating Real Betis 2-0 in the Seville derby, Spain, June 11, 2020. /VCG
"We dedicated this to the fans who couldn't be here," beamed a much-relieved Lucas Ocampos as the Argentine winger watched his Sevilla teammates cheering and celebrating when the final whistle blew in a 2-0 derby win over city rivals Real Betis on Thursday night.
It's been 93 days since a ball was last kicked in Spain's top flight and Ocampos had waited a long time for this emotionally charged moment — not least because he scored the first goal upon the league's return from the penalty spot and then conjured a glorious back-heel assist for Fernando to net the game-sealing second.
Despite the eerie silence from the vast swathes of empty seats at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium, where scenes of jubilation would normally erupt, La Liga became the second of Europe's five major leagues to restart following a coronavirus-induced hiatus that began in March.
A moment of silence is observed before kickoff as Sevilla and Real Betis players stood around the midfield circle at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, Spain, June 11, 2020. /VCG
As previously heard in the Bundesliga whose swashbuckling return behind closed doors in May offered a message of encouragement and hope to fellow top flight clubs, there was optional simulated crowd noise offered on television broadcasts in a bid to recreate the experience of a normal football match before the COVID-19 mercilessly upended the industry.
But without the video game-styled special effects, every roar and groan of the players and coaches was freakishly audible, reducing the high-stakes Seville derby to a seemingly low-grade warm-up friendly.
Before the kick-off, a minute of silence was held at the stadium in memory of the victims of the unparalleled pandemic that has infected more than seven million globally.
All participants are walking on tiptoes due to the strict health guidelines, with ball boys being ordered to disinfect the ball every time it went out of play and players being told to "minimize physical contact" during goal celebrations.
Sevilla's Argentinian midfielder Lucas Ocampos (R) is tightly embraced by teammates during their La Liga clash with Real Betis at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, Spain, June 11, 2020. /VCG
Each and every excruciating detail is a mournful reminder of the price that is being paid to keep the season tumbling along.
Yet, to err is to be human. When Ocampos finally broke the deadlock 56 minutes into the eagerly awaited derby, some Sevilla players couldn't resist the temptation to deliriously hug their goal-scoring hero and each other, drenching themselves in the sheer joyousness of it all.
For all the eccentric atmosphere and rule-breaking shenanigans, this hard-earned triumph strengthened their grasp on third place as the team took a giant stride towards the Champions League qualification next season.
And who can blame them?
