Sevilla slip-up at Granada harms Champions League chances

Madrid: Sevilla`s push for a Champions League place suffered a major blow as they could only manage a 1-1 draw at relegation-threatened Granada.

Diego Mainz scored at both ends as he headed the hosts in front after just 15 minutes, but could only turn Aleix Vidal`s cross into his own net 21 minutes from time.

The result leaves Sevilla six points adrift of third-placed Atletico Madrid and still two points behind Valencia in fourth with just six games remaining.

Sevilla boss Unai Emery made six changes to the side that beat Zenit St Petersburg 2-1 in the Europa League on Thursday and, possibly fatigued by their efforts in midweek, the visitors started sluggishly.

Mainz nodded home the opener as he escaped the attentions of Grzegorz Krychowiak from Daniel Candeias`s free-kick.

Granada have only won one of their last 11 La Liga games to slip into the relegation zone, but they were nearly gifted a second when Diogo Figueras sliced a corner onto his own post.

Mainz`s eventful afternoon continued when he turned Carlos Bacca`s goalbound header off the line.

However, the defender was desperately unlucky when neat interplay between Jose Antonio Reyes and Vidal released the latter down the right and Mainz deflected his cross beyond Roberto in the Granada goal.

Earlier, Rayo Vallecano maintained their outside hopes of a Europa League place by moving up to 10th as goals either side of half-time from Antonio Amaya and Miku sealed a 2-0 win over Almeria.