Sevilla 1-1 Barcelona: Match Review

Barcelona travelled to the Ramon Sanchez Pijzuan to play out their game in hand on Tuesday night. The game provided the side with an opportunity to go straight into the top four debate with a win. However, the challenge in hand was against a confident Sevilla side that sat second on the league table and had lost only on two prior occasions in the league.

Xavi opted to go for the same formation that won against Elche at the weekend, with Gerard Pique replacing Clement Lenglet in central defense. It meant a second consecutive start at the center forward position for Ferran Jutgla, the Barcelona B player who scored against Elche.

The game began in favor of the Catalans with the opening period being under their control. While Sevilla sat back and absorbed the pressure, Barcelona looked to take initiative and get more progressive play.

Just about 10 minutes in, Barcelona captain Sergio Busquets received a yellow card for a rough challenge, meaning he would be ruled out for the next league game through suspension.

The first big scare of the game came in the 22nd minute when Rafa Mir controlled an aerial ball before unleashing a vicious strike that found the back of the net. If not for a marginal offside, the visitors would be a goal down.

Eventually, Sevilla did find the breakthrough ten minutes later. The opener came through a set piece taken precisely by Ivan Rakitic. The Croatian International picked out his teammate Papu Gomez who disguised it as a ground shot to beat Ter Stegen.

The visitors hit back emphatically just 13 minutes later, once again through a set-piece. The Frenchman picked out Ronald Araujo in the air, who headed the ball into the bottom left corner to bring the Catalans level.

Sevilla seized the initiative in the second half, dominating for the opening period. Ivan Rakitic and Thomas Delaney were the primary protagonists and created lethal chances alongside Rafa Mir. However, the game changed after an incident at the hour mark.

In the 64nd minute, Jules Kounde had a moment of madness that cost his team their initiative. When nudged by Jordi Alba at the touchline, the centreback lost his cool and flung the ball onto the Spaniard’s face. The incident left the referee with no option but to give Koundr his marching orders immediately, and Sevilla were down to ten men.

The final thirty minutes of the game saw the same changes that Xavi made against Elche. Nico Gonzalez came on for Jutgla before Luuk de Jong and Lenglet were summoned. Despite being a clear man-up, Barcelona could not find the breakthrough. The visitors came close through Dembele, who even hit the post on one occasion. The game ended in a 1-1 stalemate.

Barcelona’s next clash is against Mallorca on the 3rd of January. The game after the Christmas break should mark the return of both Pedri and Ansu Fati in what will be music to Xavi’s ears. Barcelona now sit seventh in the league with 28 points.