European soccer: Barcelona held by Valencia as Sevilla sack coach Alonso

Under Alonso, Sevilla did not win in eight league games and lost all four of their Champions League matches

SEVILLE, SPAIN - DECEMBER 16: SACKED: Sevilla have parted company with coach Diego Alonso

Barcelona missed the chance to make inroads at the top of La Liga when they were held to a draw at mid-table Valencia. João Félix finally broke the deadlock in the 55th minute with a close-range strike, tapping in from a Raphinha cross but Hugo Guillamón equalised 15 minutes later with a brilliant curling shot from the edge of the box. Barça pushed on for the winner but were denied, as was the case almost all game, by Giorgi Mamardashvili, who made a string of outstanding saves. Barça are six points behind Girona.

Sevilla fired their coach, Diego Alonso, after his team remained winless after a 3-0 home defeat to Getafe on Saturday. Alonso did not give the customary post-game news conference. Sevilla’s sports director, Víctor Orta, said the club would “try to bring in a new coach as soon as possible”.