La Liga: Sevilla throw away early lead after draw at Levante

Sevilla missed a chance to get their La Liga campaign up and running when the Europa League holders surrendered the lead and were held to a 1-1 draw at Levante on Friday.

Sevilla had yet to score a goal and only managed one point from their two outings this term but French midfielder Steven Nzonzi struck in the 12th minute to put them 1-0 ahead at Levante's stadium in Valencia.

Levante came back strongly in the second half and midfielder Victor Camarasa headed a deserved equaliser in the 58th minute.

"We are going home disappointed again," Sevilla's Spain midfielder Vitolo told Spanish television.

"In the first half we were comfortable and created chances but if you don't take them you end up paying the price," he added.

"We need to learn from this and turn our focus now on the Champions League."

Sevilla qualified for the group stage of this season's edition of the continent's elite club competition by winning the Europa League and were drawn in one of the toughest-looking sections with Juventus, ManchesterCity and Borussia Moenchengladbach.

They begin their Group D campaign on Tuesday when they host Gladbach at the Sanchez Pizjuan stadium in Seville before a daunting trip to last season's beaten finalists Juve at the end of the month.

Image: Players vie for possession during the La Liga match between Sevilla and Levante 

Photograph: Sevilla FC/Twitter