Barca Blaugranes - La Liga, Round 31: Sevilla FC vs FC Barcelona: Full Match Coverage#GraciesTitohttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47187/barca-fave.png2015-04-15T15:09:29+02:00http://www.barcablaugranes.com/rss/stream/81499782015-04-15T15:09:29+02:002015-04-15T15:09:29+02:00Sevilla FC 2-2 FC Barcelona: Player Ratings
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<p>A detailed, player-by-player breakdown of Barcelona's disappointing La Liga draw with Sevilla.</p> <p>
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<span>Claudio Bravo</span><br>
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<td style="width: 50px; height: 50px; vertical-align: middle; font-size: 30px; text-align: center; color: white; background-color: #a2214b;"><i>4.9</i></td>
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<span class="statwords">Minutes played: </span><span class="statwords"><b>90</b></span>
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<div class="dots"><span class="statwords">Touches: <b>35</b></span></div>
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<span class="statwords">Passes: <b>19</b></span><span class="statwords"></span>
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<span class="statwords">Pass Accuracy: <b>58</b></span><span class="statwords"><b>%</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Shots Faced: </span><span class="statwords"><b>2</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Saves Made: <b>0</b></span><span class="statwords"></span>
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<span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords">Clearances</span></span></span></span>: <b>2</b></span><span class="statwords"></span>
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<span class="statwords"><i><b><span class="statwords"><i><b>Bostjan </b></i></span>says:</b></i></span><span class="statwords"><b><i> 6.0</i></b></span>
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<p>This was a very uncharacteristic performance by Bravo who offered <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/la-liga/teams/sevilla">Sevilla</a> the lifeline to get back into the game. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.barcablaugranes.com/">Barcelona</a> seemed well on their way to a dominant victory over one of the hottest teams in Europe, but Ever Banega managed to beat Bravo to start the comeback with a shot that the Chilean really should’ve stopped. The second goal Bravo had no chance of stopping. But putting that mistake aside Bravo had a pretty solid game, even making a couple of plays quite some way outside of his penalty area, though his passing left much to be desired.</p>
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<span>Dani Alves</span><br>
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<td style="width: 50px; height: 50px; vertical-align: middle; font-size: 30px; text-align: center; color: white; background-color: #a2214b;">6.1</td>
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<span class="statwords">Minutes played: <b>90</b></span><span class="statwords"></span>
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<span class="statwords">Touches: <b>80</b></span><span class="statwords"></span>
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<div class="dots"><span class="statwords">Passes: <b>65</b></span></div>
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<span class="statwords">Pass Accuracy: <b>88</b></span><span class="statwords"><b>%</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Key Passes:<b> 0</b></span><span class="statwords"></span>
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<span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords">Aerial Duels Won</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>: </span><span class="statwords"><b>2</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Tackles: <b>5</b></span><span class="statwords"></span>
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<span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords">Shots/Shots on Target</span></span></span></span></span>: <b>1/0</b></span><span class="statwords"></span>
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<span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords">Clearances</span></span></span>: <b>1</b></span><span class="statwords"></span>
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<span class="statwords"><span class="statwords">Turnovers</span>: <b>1</b></span><span class="statwords"></span>
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<div class="dots"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords">Interceptions</span>: <b>0</b></span></div>
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<span class="statwords"><i><b><span class="statwords"><i><b>Bostjan </b></i></span>says: </b></i></span><span class="statwords"><b><i>6.5</i></b></span>
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<p>The Brazilian started the game strong, both in attacking link-up and in defense, but he seemed to fade as the game went on. It started late in the first half when he first gave up a chance to Vicente Iborra before turning the ball over for an excellent Ever Banega chance just minutes later. In the second half he failed to make an impression, with just about the only note I made about him being the absolutely atrocious attempt in the dying moments of the game.</p>
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<td style="vertical-align: middle; font-size: 24px; border-bottom: 1px solid black;">Gerard Pique<br>
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<td style="width: 50px; height: 50px; vertical-align: middle; font-size: 30px; text-align: center; color: white; background-color: #a2214b;"><i>5.8</i></td>
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<span class="statwords">Minutes played: </span><span class="statwords"><b>90</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Touches: </span><span class="statwords"><b>75</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Passes: <b>66</b></span><span class="statwords"></span>
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<span class="statwords">Pass Accuracy: <b>89</b></span><span class="statwords"><b>%</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Tackles: <b>1</b></span><span class="statwords"></span>
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<span class="statwords">Interceptions: <b>0</b></span><span class="statwords"></span>
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<span class="statwords">Clearances: </span><span class="statwords"><b>5</b></span>
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<div class="dots"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords">Aerial Duels Won</span></span>: <b>2</b></span></div>
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<span class="statwords"><i><b><span class="statwords"><i><b>Bostjan </b></i></span>says: </b></i></span><span class="statwords"><b><i>6.5</i></b></span>
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<p>Up until the mistake that led to Sevilla’s second goal Pique had an excellent game. He made several important clearances, in fact, he an Alba had the most clearances of anybody on the pitch. Positionally he was excellent throughout, but in the end it was the passing that was his undoing as an errant pass started Sevilla’s equalizing attack. Pique also picked up a yellow card</p>
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<td style="vertical-align: middle; font-size: 24px; border-bottom: 1px solid black;">Jeremy Mathieu<br>
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<td style="width: 50px; height: 50px; vertical-align: middle; font-size: 30px; text-align: center; color: white; background-color: #a2214b;"><i>6.1</i></td>
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<span class="statwords">Minutes played: </span><span class="statwords"><b>90</b></span>
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<div class="dots"><span class="statwords">Touches: <b>91</b></span></div>
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<span class="statwords">Passes: <b>79</b></span><span class="statwords"></span>
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<span class="statwords">Pass Accuracy: <b>82</b></span><span class="statwords"><b>%</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Tackles: <b>1</b></span><span class="statwords"></span>
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<div class="dots"><span class="statwords">Interceptions: <b>3</b></span></div>
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<span class="statwords">Clearances: <b>3</b></span><span class="statwords"></span>
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<div class="dots"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords">Aerial Duels Won</span></span></span>: <b>1</b></span></div>
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<span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords">Shots/Shots on Target</span></span></span></span></span></span>: </span><span class="statwords"><b>1/1</b></span>
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<span class="statwords"><i><b><span class="statwords"><i><b>Bostjan </b></i></span>says: </b></i></span><span class="statwords"><b><i>7.0</i></b></span>
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<p>Mathieu had yet another very solid defensive game making numerous defensive plays. He was strong in the air game and anticipated the play very well, but not even he could save Barcelona from conceding two. Mathieu once again tried to be a catalyst in attack for the Catalans, but this time he didn’t try to score a header. He actually attempted to score with a scissor kick, but while he did get the shot on target, he was unable to beat the goalkeeper.</p>
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<span>Jordi Alba</span><br>
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<td style="width: 50px; height: 50px; vertical-align: middle; font-size: 30px; text-align: center; color: white; background-color: #a2214b;"><i>6.2</i></td>
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<div class="dots">
<span class="statwords">Minutes played: </span><span class="statwords"><b>90</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Touches: </span><span class="statwords"><b>98</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Passes: </span><span class="statwords"><b>87</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Pass Accuracy: <b>97</b></span><span class="statwords"><b>%</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Turnovers: <b>0</b></span><span class="statwords"></span>
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<span class="statwords">Tackles: <b>1</b></span><span class="statwords"></span>
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<span class="statwords">Interceptions: </span><span class="statwords"><b>0</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Clearances: </span><span class="statwords"><b>5</b></span>
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<span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords">Key Passes</span></span>: </span><b><span class="statwords">3</span></b>
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<span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords">Shots/Shots on Target</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>: <b>0/0</b></span><span class="statwords"></span>
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<span class="statwords"><i><b>Bostjan says: </b></i></span><span class="statwords"><i><b>6.5</b></i></span>
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<p>Alba too focused a lot on the attacking side of the game, but the end product was lacking. He showed good movement on many plays, but in the end none of his passes led to goals – it wasn’t for the lack of trying, though. Defensively Alba struggled to contain whoever was on Sevilla’s right wing at the time, and because Alba often failed to deal with the danger the Barcelona back-line was often in trouble.</p>
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<p> </p>
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<span>Sergio Busquets</span><br>
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<td style="width: 50px; height: 50px; vertical-align: middle; font-size: 30px; text-align: center; color: white; background-color: #a2214b;"><i>6.4</i></td>
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<div class="dots"><span class="statwords">Minutes played: <b>90</b></span></div>
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<span class="statwords">Touches: </span><span class="statwords"><b>100</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Passes: </span><span class="statwords"><b>89</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Pass Accuracy: <b>96</b></span><span class="statwords"><b>%</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Tackles: <b>3</b></span><span class="statwords"></span>
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<span class="statwords">Interceptions: </span><span class="statwords"><b>4</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Shots/Shots on Target: </span><span class="statwords"><b>0/0</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Clearances: </span><span class="statwords"><b>1</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Aerial Duels Won: <b>5</b></span><span class="statwords"></span>
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<span class="statwords">Turnovers: </span><span class="statwords"><b>0</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Key passes: </span><span class="statwords"><b>1</b></span>
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<span class="statwords"><i><b>Sam says: 7.5</b></i></span><span class="statwords"></span>
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<p>Busquets certainly had his work cut out for him, having to prevent Sevilla from counterattacking pretty much all game and the two goals couldn’t really be blamed on him. On the first he allowed Banega space outside of the area where 9/10 players wouldn’t score from and the second he was caught upfield when Piqué misplaced his pass and in the 83rd minute, Busquets didn’t have the legs to run back fast enough. Other then that it was a stellar performance from him and without him you'd imagine Sevilla would have scored a lot more.</p>
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<td style="vertical-align: middle; font-size: 24px; border-bottom: 1px solid black;">Andres Iniesta<br>
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<td style="width: 50px; height: 50px; vertical-align: middle; font-size: 30px; text-align: center; color: white; background-color: #a2214b;"><i>5.9</i></td>
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<div class="dots">
<span class="statwords">Minutes played: <b>85</b></span><span class="statwords"><b></b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Touches: <b>89</b></span><span class="statwords"><b></b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Passes: </span><span class="statwords"><b>83</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Pass Accuracy: <b>89</b></span><span class="statwords"><b>%</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Shots/Shots on Target: <b>2/2</b></span><span class="statwords"></span>
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<span class="statwords">Turnovers:</span><span class="statwords"><b> 3</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Key Passes: </span><span class="statwords"><b>0</b></span>
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<span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords">Successful Dribbles</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>: <b>2</b></span><span class="statwords"></span>
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<span class="statwords"><span class="statwords">Fouls Won</span>: <b>3</b></span><span class="statwords"></span>
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<span class="statwords"><i><b>Sam says: 7.0</b></i></span><span class="statwords"></span>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Barça started the game brightly and Iniesta did too, being able to run forward and attack the box meant he could become more of a danger. But as the game wore on his defensive contribution increased as Sevilla looked to peg him and Rakitić back. The home side grew into the game and Iniesta was playing further back, needing to make tackles and interceptions to limit their attacks to a minimum. His passing was very good which helped Barça to retain the ball and breathe for a couple of minutes.</p>
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<td style="vertical-align: middle; font-size: 24px; border-bottom: 1px solid black;">Ivan Rakitić<br>
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<td style="width: 50px; height: 50px; vertical-align: middle; font-size: 30px; text-align: center; color: white; background-color: #a2214b;"><i>5.7</i></td>
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<div class="dots">
<span class="statwords">Minutes played: </span><span class="statwords"><b>67</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Touches: <b>68</b></span><span class="statwords"></span>
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<span class="statwords">Passes: <b>58</b></span><span class="statwords"></span>
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<span class="statwords">Pass Accuracy: <b>95</b></span><span class="statwords"><b>%</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Shots/Shots on Target: <b>2</b></span><span class="statwords"><b>/0</b></span>
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<div class="dots">
<span class="statwords"><span class="statwords">Fouls Won</span>: <b>1</b></span><span class="statwords"></span>
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<span class="statwords">Turnovers: <b>2</b></span><span class="statwords"><b></b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Tackles: <b>2</b></span><span class="statwords"></span>
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<span class="statwords">Key Passes: </span><span class="statwords"><b>0</b></span>
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<span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords">Successful Dribbles</span></span></span></span>: </span><span class="statwords"><b>0</b></span>
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<span class="statwords"><i><b>Sam says: 6.5</b></i></span><span class="statwords"></span>
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<p>With Sevilla flooding the midfield with five players, both Rakitić and Iniesta struggled to become as effective as they would’ve like to been. Rakitić in particular failed to get a firm hold of the game with his main attacking contribution coming from two shots that went wide. His passing was very accurate at 95% but he was limited to just 58 passes completed, while his midfield partners both completed over 80. A sign of the struggle Rakitić faced.</p>
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<td style="vertical-align: middle; font-size: 24px; border-bottom: 1px solid black;">Luis Suarez<br>
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<td style="width: 50px; height: 50px; vertical-align: middle; font-size: 30px; text-align: center; color: white; background-color: #a2214b;"><i>5.0</i></td>
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<div class="dots">
<span class="statwords">Minutes played: </span><span class="statwords"><b>90</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Touches: </span><span class="statwords"><b>46</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Passes: </span><span class="statwords"><b>33</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Pass Accuracy: <b>85</b></span><span class="statwords"><b>%</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Shots/Shots on Target: <b>3/0</b></span><span class="statwords"></span>
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<span class="statwords">Turnovers: <b>4</b></span><span class="statwords"></span>
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<span class="statwords">Successful Dribbles: <b>0</b></span><span class="statwords"></span>
</div>
<div class="dots"><span class="statwords">Key Passes: <b>1</b></span></div>
<div class="dots">
<span class="statwords"><span class="statwords">Fouls Won</span>: </span><span class="statwords"><b>3</b></span>
</div>
<div class="dots">
<span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords">Tackles</span></span>: </span><span class="statwords"><b>1</b></span>
</div>
<br>
<div class="dots">
<span class="statwords"><i><b>Bostjan says: </b></i></span><span class="statwords"><b><i>6.5</i></b></span>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<p class="MsoNormal">It seems like we just can't get both Suarez and Neymar firing on all cylinders in recent games. It's either one or the other, and it appears it was Suarez's time this time to miss his chances. The Uruguayan had a few excellent opportunities to put the game out of reach and in the end his misses came back to cost Barcelona two points. Suarez's movement remained excellent but his finishing let him down.</p>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<table style="text-align: justify; width: 100%; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: black;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 50px;">
<td style="vertical-align: middle; font-size: 24px; border-bottom: 1px solid black;">
<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110061/lionel-messi">Lionel Messi</a><br>
</td>
<td style="width: 50px; height: 50px; vertical-align: middle; font-size: 30px; text-align: center; color: white; background-color: #a2214b;">7.5</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2" style="font-size: 12px; vertical-align: top;">
<div class="statcont">
<div class="dots">
<span class="statwords">Minutes played: </span><span class="statwords"><b>90</b></span>
</div>
<div class="dots">
<span class="statwords">Touches: </span><span class="statwords"><b>93</b></span>
</div>
<div class="dots">
<span class="statwords">Passes: <b>72</b></span><span class="statwords"></span>
</div>
<div class="dots">
<span class="statwords">Pass Accuracy: <b>86</b></span><span class="statwords"><b>%</b></span>
</div>
<div class="dots">
<span class="statwords">Shots/Shots on Target: <b>6/2</b></span><span class="statwords"></span>
</div>
<div class="dots">
<span class="statwords">Fouls Won: <b>4</b></span><span class="statwords"><b></b></span>
</div>
<div class="dots">
<span class="statwords">Successful Dribbles: <b>3</b></span><span class="statwords"></span>
</div>
<div class="dots">
<span class="statwords">Key Passes: <b>1</b></span><span class="statwords"></span>
</div>
<div class="dots">
<span class="statwords">Turnovers: <b>1</b></span><span class="statwords"></span>
</div>
<div class="dots">
<span class="statwords">Tackles: </span><span class="statwords"><b>1</b></span>
</div>
<br>
<div class="dots">
<span class="statwords"><i><b>Bostjan says: 8.0</b></i></span><span class="statwords"></span>
</div>
</div>
<div align="justify">
<p>Throughout the game Messi found very little room to operate as Sevilla mainly focused on him, which allowed a bit more space to his teammates in attack. Still, Messi found some success, scoring another gorgeous curling goal with his left foot. But the fact that he was closed down so well meant that Messi wasn't as a creative force that he wanted to be.</p>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<table style="text-align: justify; width: 100%; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: black;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 50px;">
<td style="vertical-align: middle; font-size: 24px; border-bottom: 1px solid black;">Neymar<br>
</td>
<td style="width: 50px; height: 50px; vertical-align: middle; font-size: 30px; text-align: center; color: white; background-color: #a2214b;">8.0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2" style="font-size: 12px; vertical-align: top;">
<div style="font-size: 12px;" class="statcont">
<div class="dots"><span class="statwords">Minutes played: <b>73</b></span></div>
<div class="dots">
<span class="statwords">Touches: </span><span class="statwords"><b>74</b></span>
</div>
<div class="dots">
<span class="statwords">Passes: <b>56</b></span><span class="statwords"></span>
</div>
<div class="dots">
<span class="statwords">Pass Accuracy: <b>89</b></span><span class="statwords"><b>%</b></span>
</div>
<div class="dots">
<span class="statwords">Shots/Shots on Target: <b>2/2</b></span><span class="statwords"></span>
</div>
<div class="dots">
<span class="statwords">Fouls Won: </span><span class="statwords"><b>2</b></span>
</div>
<div class="dots">
<span class="statwords">Key Passes: <b>5</b></span><span class="statwords"></span>
</div>
<div class="dots">
<span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords">Successful Dribbles</span></span>: <b>6</b></span><span class="statwords"></span>
</div>
<div class="dots">
<span class="statwords">Turnovers: </span><span class="statwords"><b>6</b></span>
</div>
<br>
<div class="dots">
<span class="statwords"><i><b><span class="statwords"><i><b>Bostjan </b></i></span>says: 9.0</b></i></span><span class="statwords"></span>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<p class="MsoNormal">Does this game mean we've gotten Neymar back? It might be too early to actually say that, but this was a very encouraging showing. He was a constant threat to the Sevilla back-line, scoring a beautiful goal, his first for Barcelona from a free kick, and adding an assist in the process. While Neymar still lost the ball a few too many times for my liking, Barcelona's play suffered mightily after the young winger was taken off the pitch with about half an hour of play left.</p>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<table style="text-align: justify; width: 100%; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: black;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="vertical-align: middle; font-size: 24px; border-bottom: 1px solid black;">Xavi<br>
</td>
<td style="width: 50px; height: 50px; vertical-align: middle; font-size: 30px; text-align: center; color: white; background-color: #a2214b;"><i>5.7</i></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="vertical-align: top; font-size: 12px;" colspan="2">
<div style="font-size: 12px;" class="statcont">
<div class="dots">
<span class="statwords">Minutes played: </span><span class="statwords"><b>27</b></span>
</div>
<div class="dots">
<span class="statwords">Touches: <b>25</b></span><span class="statwords"></span>
</div>
<div class="dots">
<span class="statwords">Passes: <b>21</b></span><span class="statwords"></span>
</div>
<div class="dots">
<span class="statwords">Pass Accuracy: <b>95</b></span><span class="statwords"><b>%</b></span>
</div>
<div class="dots">
<span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords">Key Passes</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>: <b>1</b></span><span class="statwords"></span>
</div>
<div class="dots">
<span class="statwords">Tackles: <b>1</b></span><span class="statwords"></span>
</div>
<br>
<div class="dots"><span class="statwords"><i><b>Bostjan says: 7.0</b></i></span></div>
</div>
<span> </span>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<p class="MsoNormal">Put on the pitch during the stretch in which Sevilla were having the attacking success Xavi was put on to basically step on the ball. It wasn't that Xavi failed at that task but he wasn't very successful either, even though he rarely lost possession. Barcelona might have maintained possession for most of the time Xavi was on the pitch, but there was little "control" on the pitch.</p>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<table style="text-align: justify; width: 100%; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: black;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="vertical-align: middle; font-size: 24px; border-bottom: 1px solid black;">Pedro</td>
<td style="width: 50px; height: 50px; vertical-align: middle; font-size: 30px; text-align: center; color: white; background-color: #a2214b;"><i>5.2</i></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="vertical-align: top; font-size: 12px;" colspan="2">
<div style="font-size: 12px;" class="statcont">
<div class="dots">
<span class="statwords">Minutes played: </span><span class="statwords"><b>5</b></span>
</div>
<div class="dots">
<span class="statwords">Touches: <b>5</b></span><span class="statwords"></span>
</div>
<div class="dots">
<span class="statwords">Passes: <b>4</b></span><span class="statwords"></span>
</div>
<div class="dots">
<span class="statwords">Pass Accuracy: <b>100</b></span><span class="statwords"><b>%</b></span>
</div>
<div class="dots">
<span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords"><span class="statwords">Fouls Won</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>: <b>1</b></span><span class="statwords"></span>
</div>
<br>
<div class="dots"><span class="statwords"><i><b>Bostjan says: N/A</b></i></span></div>
</div>
<span> </span>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<p class="MsoNormal">Not on the pitch long enough to make an impact.</p>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<table style="text-align: justify; width: 100%; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: black;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 50px;">
<td style="vertical-align: middle; font-size: 24px; border-bottom: 1px solid black;">The Team</td>
<td style="width: 50px; height: 50px; vertical-align: middle; font-size: 30px; text-align: center; color: white; background-color: #a2214b;"><i>6.0</i></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2" style="font-size: 12px; vertical-align: top;">
<div style="font-size: 12px;" class="statcont">
<div class="dots">
<span class="statwords">Passes: <b>752</b></span><span class="statwords"></span>
</div>
<div class="dots">
<span class="statwords">Pass Accuracy: <b>89</b></span><span class="statwords"><b>%</b></span>
</div>
<div class="dots">
<span class="statwords">Shots/Shots on Target: <b>17</b></span><span class="statwords"><b>/7</b></span>
</div>
<div class="dots">
<span class="statwords">Tackles: </span><span class="statwords"><b>17</b></span>
</div>
<div class="dots">
<span class="statwords">Aerial Battles Won: <b>63</b></span><span class="statwords"><b>%</b></span>
</div>
<div class="dots">
<span class="statwords">Fouls Won/Committed: <b>9/23</b></span><span class="statwords"></span>
</div>
<br>
<div class="dots"><span class="statwords"><i><b><span class="statwords"><i><b>Bostjan </b></i></span>says: 6.5</b></i></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<p class="MsoNormal">It's difficult to give a ratings to a team that can dominate one of the hottest team in Europe, one with a fantastic home record, for 30 minutes but then suffers to get over the midfield line for the remaining hour. The opening stages of the game would've been a perfect ten for Barcelona had they just managed to score another goal or two, but then they go on and spoil it with a a couple individual mistakes that lead to a collective meltdown.</p>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<table style="text-align: justify; width: 100%; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: black;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 50px;">
<td style="vertical-align: middle; font-size: 24px; border-bottom: 1px solid black;">
<span>Luis Enrique</span><br>
</td>
<td style="width: 50px; height: 50px; vertical-align: middle; font-size: 30px; text-align: center; color: white; background-color: #a2214b;"><i>4.5</i></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2" style="font-size: 12px; vertical-align: top;">
<div class="statcont">
<br>
<div class="dots"><span class="statwords"><i><b><span class="statwords"><i><b>Bostjan </b></i></span>says: 6.5</b></i></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<p>Lucho did many things right in this one. His preparation for the game was very good and his instructions for the players were very good, resulting in a dominant start. But after the Bravo mistake he failed to motivate the players in the dressing room resulting in a lackluster showing in the second half. He amplified the poor showing by taking off the only player that found continuous success against the Sevilla back-line.</p>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<table style="text-align: justify; width: 100%; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: black;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 50px;">
<td style="vertical-align: middle; font-size: 24px; border-bottom: 1px solid black;">MOTM - Neymar<br>
</td>
<td style="width: 50px; height: 50px; vertical-align: middle; font-size: 30px; text-align: center; color: white; background-color: #a2214b;"><i>63%</i></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2" style="font-size: 12px; vertical-align: top;">
<div style="font-size: 12px;" class="statcont">
<br>
<div class="dots"><span class="statwords"><i><b>Bostjan says: Neymar</b></i></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<p>With a Messi-esque run away victory Neymar topped the voting. It seems like ages ago Neymar was voted Man of the Match. Messi finished a distant second with 23%, and despite his massive mistake Pique entered into the top three with 4%.</p>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
https://www.barcablaugranes.com/2015/4/15/8419781/la-liga-sevilla-fc-2-2-fc-barcelona-player-ratingsBostjan CernensekSam Cooper2015-04-11T21:57:43+02:002015-04-11T21:57:43+02:00La Liga: Barça 2-2 Sevilla: Match Review
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/1OJAXxBbxZHCrPiU44POqTYj4to=/0x382:2332x1937/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46096692/GettyImages-469337064.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>A review of Barcelona's somewhat disappointing 2-2 draw with Sevilla at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan</p> <p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">FC <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.barcablaugranes.com/">Barcelona</a> threw away a commanding lead on Saturday evening to waste one of their most impressive first-half performances of the season and drop two points against <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/la-liga/teams/sevilla">Sevilla</a> FC at the Ramon Sánchez Pizjuan. It all started so promisingly; <span>Lionel Messi</span> gave Barcelona the lead with another world-class finish before Neymar doubled our advantage with a sublime free-kick. It all seemed so straight-forward, as if the three points were already secured but Sevilla fought back.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Ever Banega halved the deficit before the interval with an effort from long-range and after an end-to-end second-half, substitute Jose Antonio Reyes helped himself to a smash-and-grab equaliser following a rare error from Gerard Piqué. We probably didn’t deserve to drop points – but we did, and it’s all about how we respond to this setback in midweek against Paris Saint-Germain, and then next weekend when we welcome <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/la-liga/teams/valencia">Valencia</a> CF to the Camp Nou.</p>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="0" class="MsoNormalTable">
<tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; height: 10.75pt;">
<td style="width: 154.0pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 10.75pt;" valign="top" width="205"></td>
<td style="width: 154.05pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 10.75pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><b>Sevilla</b></p>
<p></p>
</td>
<td style="width: 154.05pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 10.75pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><b>Barcelona</b></p>
<p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 154.0pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><b>Possession</b></p>
<p></p>
</td>
<td style="width: 154.05pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><b>30%</b></p>
<p></p>
</td>
<td style="width: 154.05pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><b>70%</b></p>
<p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 154.0pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><b>Total Shots</b></p>
<p></p>
</td>
<td style="width: 154.05pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><b>11</b></p>
<p></p>
</td>
<td style="width: 154.05pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><b>17</b></p>
<p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 154.0pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><b>Shots on Target</b></p>
<p></p>
</td>
<td style="width: 154.05pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><b>2</b></p>
<p></p>
</td>
<td style="width: 154.05pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><b>7</b></p>
<p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 154.0pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><b>Corners</b></p>
<p></p>
</td>
<td style="width: 154.05pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><b>2</b></p>
<p></p>
</td>
<td style="width: 154.05pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><b>4</b></p>
<p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 154.0pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><b>Fouls</b></p>
<p></p>
</td>
<td style="width: 154.05pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><b>23</b></p>
<p></p>
</td>
<td style="width: 154.05pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><b>9</b></p>
<p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 154.0pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><b>Offsides</b></p>
<p></p>
</td>
<td style="width: 154.05pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><b>3</b></p>
<p></p>
</td>
<td style="width: 154.05pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><b>3</b></p>
<p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 154.0pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><b>Yellow Cards</b></p>
<p></p>
</td>
<td style="width: 154.05pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><b>5</b></p>
<p></p>
</td>
<td style="width: 154.05pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><b>2</b></p>
<p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 154.0pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><b>Red Cards</b></p>
<p></p>
</td>
<td style="width: 154.05pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><b>0</b></p>
<p></p>
</td>
<td style="width: 154.05pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><b>0</b></p>
<p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 154.0pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="205"></td>
<td style="width: 154.05pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="205"></td>
<td style="width: 154.05pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="205"></td>
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<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.managingmadrid.com/">Real Madrid</a>’s early afternoon victory over SD Eibar had piled on the pressure; Barcelona were now just one point clear at the top of La Liga and needed a win at the Ramon Sánchez Pizjuan to regain their cushion as league leaders. The only trouble was, Sevilla have gone 31 matches without a loss at home. As such, it was no great surprise to see <span>Luis Enrique</span> revert to his "gala" starting XI. Jeremy Mathieu, Gerard Piqué and <span>Jordi Alba</span> returned to the backline. <span>Sergio Busquets</span> and Andrés Iniesta rotated back into midfield and Neymar replaced Pedro in attack.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">We were going to give this one everything we’d got – would it be enough?</p>
<p style="text-align: center;" align="center" class="MsoNormal">***</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Much was made about Sevilla’s home form in the build-up to this one and deservedly so; whenever a side goes 14 months without a defeat at home, they deserve credit. However, let’s not belittle Barcelona either – the Blaugrana were the last side to win at the Ramon Sánchez Pizjuan and their record against Unai Emery is virtually flawless. If any side could grab a win in Andalusia tonight, it would be FC Barcelona.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">As expected, Sevilla started the match with confidence and hoped to catch Barcelona off-guard with an up-tempo start, but Barça cleared the danger and immediately monopolised possession, sterilising the Sevilla attack by simply not allowing them the ball. Unai Emery had probably planned for this eventuality, so his side dropped back and hoped to absorb pressure. The idea was both simple and logical, but the early exchanges indicated that this was going to suit Barcelona right down to the ground.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">The tempo of our passing was good, our movement was also promising and there were encouraging signs from both Lionel Messi and Neymar as the duo combined to cause the Sevilla defense a few early problems. Neymar in particular was looking much better than in recent performances; skipping past opposing challenges and finding the target with a few early passes. His understanding and chemistry with Lionel Messi was on full display; and Sevilla didn’t have answer.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Too bad, because their inability to stop Neymar and Messi combining cost them the ultimate price – an opening goal for the Blaugrana scored after just a quarter of an hour at the Ramon Sánchez Pizjuan.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Neymar was the creator, cutting in from the left flank to take on a few Sevilla defender – drawing the attention of the entire Sevilla backline such that Lionel Messi was afforded some space as he ghosted in from the right wing. Needless to say, that was a critical mistake from Sevilla’s left-back Benoit Tremoulinas. By the time Messi received the pass from Neymar, Tremoulinas was out of position and as a consequence, Messi had the time to pick his place, curling the ball into the far corner to gift Barça the lead.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">It was a carbon copy of the finish that we witnessed against Almeria, and just as it did on Wednesday, Messi’s goal had handed Barcelona an important lead.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">So much for this being a difficult test for our boys.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">And let’s not beat around the bush here – it wasn’t because Sevilla are a bad team. No, far from it – it’s because FC Barcelona are very, very good and we don’t say that often enough. We were the ones dictating the tempo. We were the ones dictating Sevilla’s gameplan and we were the ones doing all the damage. This was the work of a truly dominant side, dare I say, the best side in the world?</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">The team performance was dominant – and when you then factor in the individual quality of the players in our side, well, things started to get ugly for poor Sevilla. Luis Suarez drew a free-kick on the edge of the area, earning Grzegorz Krchowiak a yellow card in the process, and Neymar pulled rank over Lionel Messi to try his luck. The angle favoured his right foot and he backed it up with a sensational finish, lifting the ball over the wall and into the top corner of the net. Sergio Rico stood there, rooted to the spot.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">There was nothing neither he, nor his Sevilla teammates could do. They were simply being outclassed.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Then, out of nowhere, Sevilla pulled one back.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">To their credit, it was a superb strike from Ever Banega as the Argentine midfielder went for goal from long range. He struck it well, hitting the ball low and with power – too much power from a Blaugrana perspective as <span>Claudio Bravo</span>’s outstretched palms could only push the shot onto the post where a fortuitous bounce ensured that Sevilla grabbed a lifeline before the half-time break. Suddenly, Barcelona’s dominance had been questioned – Sevilla were on the ascendency.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Banega’s presence in midfield might not have been doing them a lot of favours defensively but from an offensive standpoint, he was decisive and at the forefront of everything positive for the hosts. Just moments after halving the deficit, Banega was at it again venturing forward and going for goal, only this time Lionel Messi got his body in the way to make what could have been a crucial block.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Sevilla had found their confidence though and Krychowiak nearly atoned for the foul that led to Barça’s second goal with a headed effort that was cleared in rather panicked fashion by the Barça backline.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Defensively, we were on the ropes a little bit; the solution? Well, venture forward of course! Our primary tactic for the remainder of the half was to feed the ball to Neymar who humiliated Coke with a jaw-dropping nutmeg before drawing a foul on the edge of the area from Nicolas Pareja. It was in an identical position to the one that Neymar buried earlier, only this time Messi went for goal. Sergio Rico pushed the shot over the crossbar in what proved to be the final action of note in an entertaining first-half.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">What would the second period have in store for FC Barcelona?</p>
<p style="text-align: center;" align="center" class="MsoNormal">***</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Well, on the basis of our dominant start to the half, it would appear as though goals – and plenty of them – were on our mind. Neymar, Lionel Messi and now Luis Suarez; each member of our star-studded frontline was running riot while there was additional support from the midfield in the form of Andrés Iniesta and Ivan Rakitić. Our desire to retain and recover possession was incredible – some of these things go unnoticed, but there was one instance in which Sevilla attempted to shield the ball out for a throw-in, but Neymar hustled and harried his way around the Sevilla player to not only keep the ball in play, but win possession back.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">We were hungry for these three points, far more so than Sevilla at least and it was making the difference. Andrés Iniesta and Luis Suarez each had chances to double our lead on the 50 minute mark, as Iniesta stabbed a one-on-one at Sergio Rico before Suarez uncharacteristically blazed the rebound over the crossbar. It was a great chance to put this game out of sight and Suarez’ reaction said it all – he was furious with himself for wasting the opportunity.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">So, while Barcelona were much the better side, this game was still somewhat in the balance and the next goal really was going to be crucial. Barça pushed forward in search of a decisive third and Sevilla tried their luck whenever they could in search of an equaliser. Similar to the tail-end of the first-half, the match was largely an end-to-end affair, albeit with fewer clear-cut chances to show for the action.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Alas, it remained just as enthralling as ever before but as time dragged on, the nerves started to creep into the match. With so much to play for, players started to exaggerate contact when challenged and as a consequence, Sergio Busquets and Gerard Piqué found their way into the book for a couple of fairly innocuous incidents. Clearly, this end-to-end style wasn’t suiting us quite as much as one might have hoped, so Lucho prepped his first substitution in a bid to address that.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Enter Xavi Hernández.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Surprisingly, the man to make way was Neymar, arguably Barcelona’s best performer on the night – and he reacted accordingly, seemingly gesturing angrily at Luis Enrique. These things happen all the time in football, but brace yourself for non-stop tabloid coverage of the incident for the next 72 hours prior to our match with Paris Saint-Germain. Whatever. The most important thing was the three points and having once seemed so comfortable, this match was now going right down to the wire.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">We’d taken off our most consistent attacking threat on the night, inviting more pressure and despite Xavi’s introduction, we weren’t really controlling possession much better either. That would prove to be our undoing.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Gerard Piqué’s misplaced pass gifted possession to substitute Jose Antonio Reyes, who initiated a counter-attack with a fine through ball to find Aleix Vidal. The winger returned the favour by reversing the ball into the area and on-hand was Reyes to apply the finish, duly tapping the ball into the back of the net to tie the teams at 2-2.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Remind me, why did we take Neymar off again? Pedro was introduced in a bid to find a winner, but let’s face it, he isn’t Neymar. Barça couldn’t find a winner and one of our better performances was wasted as a result.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Next up, Barça travel to Paris to resume their UEFA Champions League campaign. Until then, Visca el Barça!</p>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="1">
<thead>
<tr>
<th colspan="2">Roll Call Info</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="150">Total comments</td>
<td>658</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>Total commenters</td>
<td>54</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Commenter list</td>
<td>
<a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/0nk0">0nk0</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/A.J.Khan">A.J.Khan</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Abdul%20S.">Abdul S.</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Abhishek-Cul%C3%A9">Abhishek-Culé</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Anders%20Thomassen">Anders Thomassen</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Antonio%20Moreira">Antonio Moreira</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/AraibKarim">AraibKarim</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Artemis11">Artemis11</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/BDBarca">BDBarca</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/BarcaBarca">BarcaBarca</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Bingiboy">Bingiboy</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Born%20Blaugrana">Born Blaugrana</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Bostjan%20Cernensek">Bostjan Cernensek</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Delano%20Heerkens">Delano Heerkens</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/DerkSensei">DerkSensei</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/DevilWithin">DevilWithin</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Eddie%20Pundell">Eddie Pundell</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/FCBMo">FCBMo</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/FCB_Z8">FCB_Z8</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/First_Cule">First_Cule</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/GabTTT">GabTTT</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Harshiv">Harshiv</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Inder%20Methil">Inder Methil</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Jump.">Jump.</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/LaSenyera">LaSenyera</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Lapulga">Lapulga</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Maashaw">Maashaw</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/NamesTroyResideInTheDMV">NamesTroyResideInTheDMV</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/PG9">PG9</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Ruy%20Diaz">Ruy Diaz</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/SUAD">SUAD</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Sarim097">Sarim097</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Som-i-Serem">Som-i-Serem</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Sony13">Sony13</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Steven%20Cordero">Steven Cordero</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Swn.Cul%C3%A9">Swn.Culé</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Tokjee">Tokjee</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/UnderConstructionCule">UnderConstructionCule</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/ViscaViscaBarca">ViscaViscaBarca</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Willis1984">Willis1984</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Yuro_Doosh">Yuro_Doosh</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Z%20Ahmad">Z Ahmad</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/abdulla0207">abdulla0207</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/avyator">avyator</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/barca4life1273">barca4life1273</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/craig00000">craig00000</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/davidvillathelegend">davidvillathelegend</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/feeya7">feeya7</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/hobo_barca">hobo_barca</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/luck-ycoltsfan19">luck-ycoltsfan19</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/passenger">passenger</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/shirishstha">shirishstha</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/syredeathtrooper">syredeathtrooper</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/uday%20kakoti">uday kakoti</a>
</td>
</tr>
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<td>Story URLs</td>
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<div><a href="http://www.barcablaugranes.com/2015/4/11/8389697/la-liga-sevilla-fc-vs-fc-barcelona-live-game-thread?_ga=1.109283971.708377781.1371816629">http://www.barcablaugranes.com/2015/4/11/8389697/la-liga-sevilla-fc-vs-fc-barcelona-live-game-thread?_ga=1.109283971.708377781.1371816629</a></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="1">
<thead>
<tr>
<th width="20">#</th>
<th>Commenter</th>
<th># Comments</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Delano%20Heerkens">Delano Heerkens</a></td>
<td>85</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>2</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Bostjan%20Cernensek">Bostjan Cernensek</a></td>
<td>61</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Artemis11">Artemis11</a></td>
<td>58</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>4</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/BarcaBarca">BarcaBarca</a></td>
<td>56</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>5</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/AraibKarim">AraibKarim</a></td>
<td>48</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>6</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Anders%20Thomassen">Anders Thomassen</a></td>
<td>39</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>7</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/feeya7">feeya7</a></td>
<td>36</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>8</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Lapulga">Lapulga</a></td>
<td>32</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>9</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Steven%20Cordero">Steven Cordero</a></td>
<td>29</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>10</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/luck-ycoltsfan19">luck-ycoltsfan19</a></td>
<td>25</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>11</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/FCBMo">FCBMo</a></td>
<td>21</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>12</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Bingiboy">Bingiboy</a></td>
<td>20</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>13</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Som-i-Serem">Som-i-Serem</a></td>
<td>17</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>14</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/shirishstha">shirishstha</a></td>
<td>12</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>15</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/syredeathtrooper">syredeathtrooper</a></td>
<td>10</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>16</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Ruy%20Diaz">Ruy Diaz</a></td>
<td>10</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>17</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Sony13">Sony13</a></td>
<td>8</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>18</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Tokjee">Tokjee</a></td>
<td>7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>19</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/avyator">avyator</a></td>
<td>7</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>20</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/First_Cule">First_Cule</a></td>
<td>6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>21</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Eddie%20Pundell">Eddie Pundell</a></td>
<td>6</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>22</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Antonio%20Moreira">Antonio Moreira</a></td>
<td>6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>23</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/FCB_Z8">FCB_Z8</a></td>
<td>5</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>24</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Harshiv">Harshiv</a></td>
<td>5</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>25</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/barca4life1273">barca4life1273</a></td>
<td>4</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>26</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/DerkSensei">DerkSensei</a></td>
<td>4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>27</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/passenger">passenger</a></td>
<td>3</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>28</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Z%20Ahmad">Z Ahmad</a></td>
<td>3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>29</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Yuro_Doosh">Yuro_Doosh</a></td>
<td>3</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>30</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/uday%20kakoti">uday kakoti</a></td>
<td>3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>31</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/craig00000">craig00000</a></td>
<td>2</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>32</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Swn.Cul%C3%A9">Swn.Culé</a></td>
<td>2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>33</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/0nk0">0nk0</a></td>
<td>2</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>34</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Sarim097">Sarim097</a></td>
<td>2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>35</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/NamesTroyResideInTheDMV">NamesTroyResideInTheDMV</a></td>
<td>2</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>36</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/hobo_barca">hobo_barca</a></td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>37</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/LaSenyera">LaSenyera</a></td>
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<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/SUAD">SUAD</a></td>
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<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/A.J.Khan">A.J.Khan</a></td>
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<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Born%20Blaugrana">Born Blaugrana</a></td>
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<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/GabTTT">GabTTT</a></td>
<td>1</td>
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<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/DevilWithin">DevilWithin</a></td>
<td>1</td>
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<td>43</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Willis1984">Willis1984</a></td>
<td>1</td>
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<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/BDBarca">BDBarca</a></td>
<td>1</td>
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<tr>
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<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/ViscaViscaBarca">ViscaViscaBarca</a></td>
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<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Maashaw">Maashaw</a></td>
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<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/abdulla0207">abdulla0207</a></td>
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<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Inder%20Methil">Inder Methil</a></td>
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<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/PG9">PG9</a></td>
<td>1</td>
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<td>50</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Jump.">Jump.</a></td>
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<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Abdul%20S.">Abdul S.</a></td>
<td>1</td>
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<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/davidvillathelegend">davidvillathelegend</a></td>
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<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/UnderConstructionCule">UnderConstructionCule</a></td>
<td>1</td>
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<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Abhishek-Cul%C3%A9">Abhishek-Culé</a></td>
<td>1</td>
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https://www.barcablaugranes.com/2015/4/11/8390279/la-liga-sevilla-fc-2-2-fc-barcelona-match-reviewArron Duckling2015-04-11T19:19:15+02:002015-04-11T19:19:15+02:00Sevilla FC vs FC Barcelona: Live Game Thread
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<figcaption>David Ramos/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Live game thread for the La Liga match between Sevilla and Barcelona.</p> <p align="center">La Liga: Jornada 31<br>Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/la-liga/teams/sevilla">Sevilla</a><br>Kickoff: Saturday, 11 April 2015; 20:00 CET<br>Referee: Juan Martínez Munuera</p>
<p align="justify">Line-ups:</p>
<p align="justify">Sevilla FC (4-2-3-1): 29. Sergio Rico; 23. Coke, 21. Nicolás Pareja, 6. Daniel Carriço, 2. Benoît Trémoulinas; 4. Grzegorz Krychowiak, 19. Éver Banega; 22. Aleix Vidal, 12. Vicente Iborra, 20. Vitolo; 9. <span>Carlos Bacca</span></p>
<p align="justify">Substitutes:33. David Soria, 3. Fernando Navarro, 5. Diogo Figueras, 25. Stéphane Mbia, 10. José Antonio Reyes, 17. Denis Suárez, 7. Kévin Gameiro</p>
<p align="justify">Coach: Unai Emery<br>***</p>
<p align="justify">FC <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.barcablaugranes.com/">Barcelona</a> (4-3-3): 13. <span>Claudio Bravo</span>; 22. <span>Dani Alves</span>, 3. Gerard Pique, 24. Jeremy Mathieu, 18. Jordi Alba; 5. <span>Sergio Busquets</span>, 4. Ivan Rakitic, 8. Andres Iniesta; 10. <span>Lionel Messi</span>, 9. Luis Suarez, 11. Neymar</p>
<p align="justify">Substitutes: 1. Marc-Andre ter Stegen, 15. <span>Marc Bartra</span>, 21. Adriano Correia, 14. <span>Javier Mascherano</span>, 12. Rafinha Alcantara, 6. Xavi Hernandez, 7. Pedro Rodriguez</p>
<p align="justify">Coach: <span>Luis Enrique</span></p>
https://www.barcablaugranes.com/2015/4/11/8389697/la-liga-sevilla-fc-vs-fc-barcelona-live-game-threadBostjan Cernensek2015-04-11T14:52:06+02:002015-04-11T14:52:06+02:00How to Watch: Barcelona vs Sevilla
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<figcaption>David Ramos/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p style="text-align: justify;">With just eight matches remaining in the La Liga season, it's safe to say that every game from here on in is of vital importance for FC Barcelona's title aspirations -- although it's also true to say that some are still more important than others. And indeed three of those matches will follow each other in quick succession as Barça's next three games pit them against <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/la-liga/teams/sevilla">Sevilla</a> FC tonight, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/la-liga/teams/valencia">Valencia</a> CF next weekend and against local rivals RCD <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/la-liga/teams/espanyol">Espanyol</a> in a fortnight.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Each game will bring it's own unique challenges: tonight's is that we're facing a team high on confidence who remain unbeaten on their turf. Securing the three points will be a tough ask, but one that this side is more than capable of doing. <span>Lionel Messi</span>, Luis Suarez and Neymar ran riot the last time these two teams met. Will a similar fate await Sevilla tonight, or will they extend their run of good form with another positive result?</p>
<p><b>Match Date/Time: </b>Saturday, April 11, 8.00 p.m. local time, 3.00 p.m. ET</p>
<p><b>Venue: </b><i>Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan</i>, Seville, Spain</p>
<p><b>TV: </b>beIN Sports USA (US - English), beIN Sports en Espanol (U.S. - Spanish), beIN Sports Canada (Canada), Canal+1 / HD (Spain), Canal+ Yomvi (Spain), Star Sports HD 2 Asia (India), Sky Sports 5 / HD (UK)</p>
<p class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph5" align="justify"><b>Online: </b>beIN Sports Connect (U.S./Canada), fuboTV (U.S), SkyGo (UK)</p>
<p class="pgh-paragraph" align="justify">(<a href="http://www.livesoccertv.com/match/1259132/eibar-vs-barcelona/" target="_blank">Listings via LiveSoccerTV</a>)</p>
<p class="pgh-paragraph" align="justify">A quick note: you might have noticed fuboTV among the online stream listings. This is a very cool new site that provides a LEGAL, high-quality live streaming service that now includes beIN SPORTS. If you're not able to buy cable or you're not near your TV during <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.barcablaugranes.com/">Barcelona</a> games, you can watch Barça online in HD at fuboTV for only $6.99 per month! <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1641846&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fubo.tv%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.barcablaugranes.com%2F2015%2F4%2F11%2F8387083%2Fbarcelona-sevilla-2015-la-liga-tv-schedule-live-online-streaming" target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener">Sign up</a> now!</p>
https://www.barcablaugranes.com/2015/4/11/8387083/barcelona-sevilla-2015-la-liga-tv-schedule-live-online-streamingArron Duckling2015-04-11T11:30:24+02:002015-04-11T11:30:24+02:00Predict the Score: Barça vs Sevilla
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<figcaption>David Ramos/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>A chance for you to predict the score of tonight's La Liga clash between FC Barcelona and Sevilla FC at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">All things being equal, FC <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.barcablaugranes.com/">Barcelona</a> will likely kick-off tonight's match against <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/la-liga/teams/sevilla">Sevilla</a> with a one point lead at the top of La Liga, as <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.managingmadrid.com/">Real Madrid</a> host SD Eibar in this afternoon's early fixture. Los Blancos are overwhelming favourites to pick up the victory, and in doing so they will place even more pressure on their eternal rivals, FC Barcelona, who face one of the toughest tests of their season so far against a Sevilla side that remains unbeaten at home.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">So much has been said about the importance of this clash due to the strength of this Sevilla outfit, yet it's worth remembering that Real Madrid must also travel to the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan before the season's end. If Barça could drop points tonight, then why aren't we assuming the same scenario is likely for Real?</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">At least, my point is that a "negative" result wouldn't actually be the end of the world, although some Culés will undoubtedly act as if it is if we do draw, or heaven forbid, lose. Irrespective of our result tonight, the pressure is and still will remain on Real Madrid. We can afford to slip up once or twice in the final stretch -- Los Blancos probably need to be perfect and you know what? That's clearly the worse situation to be in -- so let's relax, enjoy the game and smile in the knowledge that tonight's result might not matter after all.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Predict the score of tonight's La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Sevilla FC by commenting with your prediction below. Best of luck!</p>
https://www.barcablaugranes.com/2015/4/11/8386901/la-liga-fc-barcelona-vs-sevilla-fc-predict-the-scoreArron Duckling2015-04-11T09:00:02+02:002015-04-11T09:00:02+02:00A draw against Sevilla not good enough for Lucho
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<figcaption>Alex Caparros/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>ATTABOY</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">As <a href="https://www.barcablaugranes.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Barcelona</a> gets ready to face <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/la-liga/teams/sevilla" class="sbn-auto-link">Sevilla</a> this Saturday, coach <span>Luis Enrique</span> is not going to accept a draw as a good result.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The coach aknowledged how difficult the opponent is, but he's not lowering his expectations because he still knows how good his own team has played.</p>
<blockquote> <p style="text-align: justify;">"We will need to be at our best to get something out of the game. We need to do our homework and be better than Sevilla.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>"</strong><span>The game will be a good example of how demanding this league is</span><strong>. </strong>And our objective is to give our best possible performance.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">"Ideally we will play magnificently, create 58 chances, while they create none, but that is a utopia.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">"Sevilla can play and they have their weapons. They are a good side."</p> </blockquote>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Enrique seems locked in. The players better be as well. This is not going to be easy.</p>
https://www.barcablaugranes.com/2015/4/11/8385823/luis-enrique-barcelona-sevilla-preview-videoRenato Gonçalves2015-04-11T05:00:02+02:002015-04-11T05:00:02+02:00Video: Rakitic talks return to Sevilla
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<figcaption>Michael Steele/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.barcablaugranes.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Barcelona's</a> <em>La Liga</em> match against <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/la-liga/teams/sevilla" class="sbn-auto-link">Sevilla</a> is not special just because it could mean a step closer to the championship, but also because one of the <em>Blaugrana's </em> best performers is returning to the club that made him a star.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Ivan Rakitic is just the latest of former Sevilla standouts that left the <em>Rojiblancos</em> to join the Catalans. Dani Alves and Adriano Correia also became famous at <em>Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán</em> and attracted the eyes and big money from Barça. Rakitic has become a fundamental piece of Barcelona's new midfield structure, and he returns to Seville as an established star, just like he was when he left the team as the Europa League champion.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.fcbarcelona.com/football/first-team/detail/article/fc-barcelona-s-rakitic-returns-to-old-stomping-ground">In an interview with Barça's website</a>, the Croatian reflected on his Sevilla years, and previewed what is going to be a special night for him. You can watch the full video above, but here's a few nuggets from his answers:</p>
<blockquote> <p style="text-align: justify;">"It will be a very special game because of all I went through there, that I keep with me.<strong> </strong><span>I carry the city inside my heart and my life</span>. Everything I did in three and a half years there has been a special time.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">"Honestly, when I was introduced at Barcelona I was thinking about the match at the Sanchez-Pizjuan.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">"I have to concentrate on myself, to play a good game. There are eight weeks left and to win is very important for us, I don't want to think too much.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">"When the game starts, I will be in my world. I hope that I can enjoy the three points. They have a large squad and very strong, sometimes they have made changes and it hasn't affected the team.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">"I am very happy for the coach, <span>Unai Emery</span>, who is doing phenomenal things.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">"All the teams that have been at the Sanchez-Pizjuan know the difficulty of playing against Sevilla, with a fan base that knows how to pressurize. But Sevilla know too that it is not easy to play against Barcelona, we always had a hard time facing them.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">"I always want to win. I want to win in training sessions, and<strong> </strong>I want to win at cards when I play at home with my wife."</p> </blockquote>
https://www.barcablaugranes.com/2015/4/11/8385873/video-ivan-rakitic-talks-return-to-former-club-sevillaRenato Gonçalves2015-04-11T03:15:37+02:002015-04-11T03:15:37+02:00La Liga: Barça vs Sevilla: Match Preview
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/9RKkp0qaeKP2m_saY4AWQPlcZ9E=/0x0:2992x1995/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46092590/GettyImages-468923608.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>David Ramos/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>A preview of Barcelona's crucial La Liga clash with Sevilla FC at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan in Andalusia</p> <p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Something’s got to give. FC <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.barcablaugranes.com/">Barcelona</a> will put their nine game winning streak on the line against a <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/la-liga/teams/sevilla">Sevilla</a> outfit that is undefeated at home when they travel to Andalusia on Saturday night to take on Unai Emery’s in-form side at the Ramon Sánchez Pizjuan. At the end of the evening, either Barça’s impressive streak of consecutive wins will have been brought to a grinding halt, or Sevilla’s formidable home record will be left in tatters.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">The rest of La Liga will be watching closely with one eye on the title race. A win in this, one of their toughest remaining fixtures, would prove to be a massive boost for the Blaugrana not just in a literal sense as it brings them one win closer to regaining their title, but also in a psychological sense. Sevilla represent a challenge, a significant hurdle; they’re the latest pop quiz that <span>Luis Enrique</span> must face to prove his worth as Barça manager.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Going toe-to-toe with Unai Emery and escaping Seville with all three points would be the latest in a string of fine accomplishments for Enrique. Defeat and failure is simply not an option; all the doubts, the talk of crisis would come flooding back adding an extra layer of pressure to both the La Liga title race, not to mention our upcoming UEFA Champions League obligations against Paris Saint-Germain.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">And therein lies the problem.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">This will be Barça’s third match in the space of a week with the promise of two more critical matches to follow in the next seven days. We’re travelling to face the only side in the division with an unbeaten home record and even then, the pressure to secure a win is immense. A draw would be a credible result for any other side – but Culés seem to hold Barcelona to a higher standard.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">The reaction to a narrow victory over <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/la-liga/teams/celta-vigo">Celta Vigo</a> was mixed to say the least, while there hasn’t even been universal praise for our emphatic win over Almeria in midweek. If we drop points, how will the fanbase react – and what impact could that have ahead of our trip to Paris?</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Let’s hope Barça do us proud and we never have to find out...</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><b>TEAM NEWS</b></p>
<p></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><b>BARCELONA</b></p>
<p></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Guess who’s back! <span>Jordi Alba</span> has recovered from the hamstring injury he suffered on international duty in double-quick fashion to not only return to training, but also receive the medical green light to be named to the 18-man squad that will travel to Seville. His recovery however, coupled with <span>Sergio Busquets</span>’ return from suspension has forced Luis Enrique into a couple of changes to the squad; Martin Montoya and <span>Sergi Roberto</span> both drop out after playing a role in the win over Almeria.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Ergo, there’s still no room in the team for <span>Thomas Vermaelen</span> – although as much was to be expected given the importance of this fixture for our title aspirations. Likewise, both Douglas and Jordi Masip have been left in Catalunya, but I doubt you really needed me to tell you that.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Getting to tomorrow’s line-up, <span>Claudio Bravo</span> will start in goal having kept three clean sheets in his last four appearances, with Pichichi leader <span>Cristiano Ronaldo</span> grabbing the only goal against the Chilean in the last six hours of football. That’s not a bad record by any stretch of the imagination, although it’s safe to say that Bravo will have his work cut out for him up against one of the league’s best strikers: <span>Carlos Bacca</span>.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">The Colombian forward only trails Ronaldo and Messi in the race for the golden boot, having scored 17 goals – the same number as Neymar – in his 30 appearances this campaign. That being said, Bacca struggled to make an impact in the previous match between the two sides this season and the likes of Gerard Piqué will be studying that night for tips on how to keep Bacca at bay.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Indeed, Piqué should return to the starting line-up after a deserved rest in midweek and it’s likely that he will be partnered by Jeremy Mathieu, who has grabbed the opening goal in each of his last two appearances for the club. At right-back, <span>Dani Alves</span> should start against his former club while Jordi Alba is favourite to slot back in at left-back after recovering from injury.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">However, with Paris Saint-Germain to come in midweek, don’t be surprised if Alba is eased back into action off the bench, with Adriano Correia continuing in his role on the left-hand side of defense against his former club.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">At pivote, expect to see Sergio Busquets back in the side after he served a one-match suspension for yellow card accumulation against Almeria in midweek. <span>Javier Mascherano</span> seems to have been an ever-present in the side under Lucho, although having checked the stats he has actually made fewer La Liga appearances than Xavi this season, perhaps suggesting that a spot on the bench isn’t as unlikely as one might have thought for El Jefecito.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Speaking of Xavi, it’s been a pleasure to watch him work his magic in the past couple of matches, although I fear that that run is momentarily over and we will see Ivan Rakitić paired up with Andrés Iniesta. Not that this is an inherently "bad" thing, but any Culé would agree that it’s tough to see Xavi sitting on the bench after all he’s done for the club over the years. Nevertheless, our captain offers a different dimension and a touch of undoubted quality off the bench – two traits that could prove vital in breaking down an astute Sevilla defense.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">On the other hand, it might not come down to that thanks to the quality of our front three. <span>Lionel Messi</span> scored a superb hat-trick the last time these two sides met back in November. Neymar helped himself to a goal and two assists, while Luis Suarez created a goal of his own for Ivan Rakitić. Three world-class players each making an impact, a game-changing contribution against one of the division’s best sides – that’s why we introduced Suarez to the fold, to bring the best out of the trio.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">In recent weeks, it has been the Uruguayan who has been shouldering the responsibility somewhat, with Messi still chipping in with decisive contributions while Neymar’s form has rather cooled off. The great thing about the Brazilian though is that one goal is all it takes – and judging by the composed finish we witnessed against Celta Vigo in spite of the offside flag, that goal isn’t too far away and Neymar might be ready to start firing on all cylinders again soon enough.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><b>SEVILLA</b></p>
<p></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Much has been made of Barcelona’s tough schedule, but what about Sevilla’s? They aren’t as good as us, which in itself is a disadvantage, but they’ve also had a tough couple of matches against <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://athletic.theoffside.com/">Athletic Bilbao</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/la-liga/teams/levante">Levante</a> in the past week. Not only that, but they have the UEFA Europa League to look forward to and a tie with Zenit St Petersburg, so they have just as much to contend with as us – perhaps a fact that some are all too eager to overlook in their build-up to the clash.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">With no injuries or suspensions to contend with, Emery has a strong squad at his disposal, but will it be enough to challenge the runaway league leaders?</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><b>FORM GUIDE</b></p>
<p></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Barcelona: WWWWWW</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Sevilla: WWWWWW</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><b>LAST MEETING</b></p>
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<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">FC Barcelona 5-1 Sevilla FC – 22 November 2014 – La Liga</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">A Lionel Messi hat-trick stole the headlines, but the real highlight from this emphatic victory was the overall level of performance from the whole team – not just the star-studded frontline – as Barça completely dominated one of the league’s best teams en route to their latest win.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><b>LIKELY LINE-UPS</b></p>
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<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Barcelona (4-3-3): Bravo; Alves, Piqué, Mathieu, Alba; Busquets, Rakitić, Iniesta; Messi, Suarez, Neymar</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Sevilla (4-2-3-1): Beto; Coke, Carrico, Pareja, Navarro; Krychowiak, Iborra; Vitolo, Denis, Vidal; Bacca</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><b>MATCH PREDICTION</b></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">A tight match, and a narrow 2-1 Barça win.</p>
https://www.barcablaugranes.com/2015/4/11/8385851/la-liga-sevilla-fc-vs-fc-barcelona-match-previewArron Duckling