Barcelona vs Sevilla, La Liga: Final Score 5-1, Barça begin crucial ...
Barcelona will finish Matchday 10 of the La Liga season still three points clear at the top of the table thanks to a hard-fought 5-1 win over Sevilla at the Montjuïc Olympic Stadium on Sunday night. Barça built their lead in the first half but had to endure a few difficult periods against a tough Sevilla side, but Hansi Flick’s men remained solid and took their chances up front to begin a huge week with an important win at home.
FIRST HALF
A warm-up injury to Eric García made Barça more attack-minded from the start as Ansu Fati came into the lineup and Raphinha moved into midfield. The hosts looked to establish their dominance from the get-go by controlling the ball, playing at a fast tempo and pressing very high to try and force mistakes.
But the Catalans weren’t precise with their passing early on, and allowed Sevilla to have some joy on the counter as the Blaugrana struggled to get enough bodies back to deal with the pace of the visitors and their forward line.
The first 25 minutes were not easy at all, but the home team still found a way to take the lead as Raphinha was pulled down by Peque inside the box and Robert Lewandowski scored the penalty to put Barça in front. Pedri quickly doubled the lead with an amazing strike from distance, and the Blaugrana were suddenly in complete control at the half-hour mark.
Barça grew in confidence after the sudden change of momentum, and Lewandowski missed a huge chance to make it 3-0 on the counter after an amazing pass by Lamine Yamal. But the home team stayed hungry for more, and found the third when Lewandowski deflected a shot by Raphinha into the net and remained just onside to make the goal count.
The halftime whistle shortly after to end a first period that wasn’t easy for Barça to begin with, but once they found their groove the Catalans were in complete control. With the win seemingly secured, would we see the return of Gavi in the second half?
SECOND HALF
Barça remained aggressive to start the final period, continuing to attack and press looking for more goals. Raphinha had a strike disallowed for offside early on after a spectacular pass by Yamal, who was very hungry to find the net himself and was constantly on the ball looking to create danger.
The Blaugrana couldn’t maintain the same level and became a bit sloppy after a strong start to the half, and Sevilla had a penalty and a goal denied by two very narrow offside calls. Hansi Flick went to his bench and sent on Fermín López and Pau Víctor to try and help settle things down, but Barça were nowhere near their best as we reached the final 15 minutes.
Flick made two more changes with Pablo Torre and Gerard Martín coming on to protect the lead and keep control of the ball in the final minutes. Torre managed to add to the lead as his shot inside the box deflected off Marcão and went into the net, and the fourth goal was the cue for Gavi to make his long-awaited return as the midfielder replaced Pedri and took over as captain for the final 10 minutes.
There was quite a bit of action at the death as substitute Stanis Idumbo used his frightening speed to get a consolation goal for the hosts, but Torre replied immediately and doubled his tally on the night with a long free-kick that went over everyone and found the back of the net.
The final whistle eventually came to end a very fun night in Montjuïc, with another high-scoring win for Barça to start a crucial week the right way. Gavi is back, Lewandowski remains on fire, and Barça look ready for Bayern and Madrid.
Well done, boys!
Barcelona: Peña; Kounde, Cubarsí, Iñigo, Balde; Casadó, Pedri (Gavi 83’); Yamal (Torre 76’), Raphinha (Fermín 66’), Fati (Martín 76’); Lewandowski (Víctor 66’)
Goals: Lewandowski (24’, 39’), Pedri (28’), Torre (82’, 88’)
Sevilla: Nyland; Carmona, Badé, Marcão, Pedrosa (Montiel 81’); Agoumé (Idumbo 70’), Gudelj; Lukébakio, Peque (Suso 46’ (Sow 70’)), Ejuke (Lokonga 45+1’); Romero
Goal: Idumbo (87’)
