· 2 min readIn this Sevilla vs Barcelona match, I analyse the key tactical moments, individual performances and turning points of the game.
Sevilla came into this game with a much better start to the season than what we have become accustomed to from them, but today’s challenge was on another level. Barcelona had won all six league games, scored 28 goals and had Raphinha as their top scorer with nine.
The mission for Sevilla, coached by Luis García, was mainly to compete and avoid a heavy defeat. And, for part of the game, they managed to do much more than that.
Sevilla did not sit deep. They stayed high, tried to play and managed to keep the opening minutes balanced, although Yamal had already forced Vlachodimos into a great save in the 7th minute.
In the 19th minute, the surprise came. Agoumé sent Félix Correia through, who won the duel against Eric García, crossed and Fofana got ahead of Cubarsí to head in for 1-0. Sevilla were ahead and, honestly, their performance justified the lead.
But this Barcelona have players capable of changing a game on their own. In the 22nd minute, Christensen found Raphinha, who produced a fake shot, left Sangante literally on the floor and finished with his right foot. An absurd goal from the Brazilian to make it 1-1.
Sevilla continued to cause problems, especially down the left, where Félix Correia and Suazo were very active. On the other side, Barcelona did not look as comfortable and the game was much more balanced than expected.
Félix Correia was having a great first half, as was Sevilla collectively. In the 45+4th minute, there was even a huge chance after a fantastic backheel from Fofana, but Rodri made a crucial clearance.
The atmosphere was also hostile towards Yamal, who was booed whenever he touched the ball. Barcelona were still alive, but far from dominant.
In the second half, everything changed. In the 52nd minute, Yamal recovered the ball inside the box, kept going near the byline and crossed for Raphinha, who once again got ahead of Sangante to head in for 1-2. Second goal for the Brazilian and Barcelona had turned the game around. From this point onwards, the difference between the two teams began to show.
Sevilla practically disappeared offensively. In the 66th minute, they had just 24% possession in the second half and zero shots. Barcelona settled into the attacking half and started playing exactly how they like to.
In the 69th minute, Yamal appeared again, sending Raphinha in behind the defence, and the Brazilian produced a perfect lob over the goalkeeper. Hat-trick, 12 league goals and, even more absurdly, a second consecutive hat-trick. Six goals in his last two games. Raphinha is simply unstoppable. Yamal, with two assists, also put in a brilliant performance.
Sevilla still had moments to score, but Gordon wasted two chances in ridiculous fashion, completely mistiming the ball on both occasions. Vlachodimos also prevented an even heavier defeat with some great saves towards the end.
Post-match
1-3 ends up being a fair result. Sevilla put in an excellent first half and showed that Luis García’s work is producing a competitive team. But in a prolonged positional game, this Barcelona side are simply too strong. And when Raphinha is playing at this level, he becomes even harder to stop.
