Barcelona hosted Sevilla in what is supposed to be a crucial week for the club as they take on Inter Milan next in the Champions League and later Real Madrid. So it was important for the Catalans to start this phase on the positive note and that is what they did by securing a 4-2 win on the night. The score might suggest a one-sided game, but it was far from it as Sevilla made a fair few chances themselves. Real Madrid dropping points would have given Barca extra motivation, and Valverde’s men now sit on top of the table.
Barcelona started the game with blistering pace and found themselves 2-0 up within 12 minutes. Phillipe Coutinho and Lionel Messi scored their trademark goals, and the Blaugrana’s looked in control. However, an injury to Messi dampened the mood around the Camp Nou, and Sevilla started threatening on counter attacks.
The game ebbed and flew from one end to the other and Sevilla got some decent scoring opportunities themselves in the second half. They failed to take their chances, and Barcelona ran out 4-2 winners in an entertaining game. Here is how the La Liga table-toppers fared.
Marc Ter Stegen 9
Made some outstanding saves in the second half. His distribution, as usual, was on point. Couldn’t have done much about the goals he conceded.
Nelson Semedo 7
Made marauding runs down the right and was impactful while going forward. However, it also allowed Sevilla opportunities to counter-attack as Semedo was often left high up the pitch.
Gerard Pique 6
The Spanish centre-back looked nervy on few occasions but did enough on the day to secure three points.
Clement Lenglet 5.5
Failed to keep the Sevilla forwards silent and was often dragged out of position. Needs to learn a lot and was bailed out by Ter Stegen often.
Jordi Alba 6
Made some darting runs in the opposition half as usual. Was caught out of position sometimes as Sevilla were quick to move the ball on the counter.
Arthur Melo 6
Did a decent job in linking up play but maybe Valverde would also want him to contribute while defending.
Sergio Busquets 6
Busquets did what Busquets does as he dictated play. However, quick counter-attacks of Sevilla caused a lot of worries and he was left out of position quite a few times as he pressed forward.
Ivan Rakitic 7.5
The Croatian is the heart and soul of this team, and he kept things moving in midfield perfectly. His intelligence and positional awareness are second to none. Scored a brilliant volley late on in the game.
Philippe Coutinho 7.5
Looked sharp throughout the game and picked the right passes in the final third to unlock the defence. Scored a brilliant goal to open the scoring.
Lionel Messi 8
It was a pity to see him leave the pitch as he looked in the mood to stamp his authority. Scored one of his trademark goals before his night was cut short halfway through the first half after an awkward fall.
Luis Suarez 7
Was guilty of missing quite a few chances but scored from a penalty which was won by him after he nutmegged his defender before being brought down by the goalkeeper. The Uruguayan’s work rate was terrific as usual.
Substitutes
Ousmane Dembele 5.5
Came on for injured Messi and the Frenchman was guilty of missing quite a few chances. Cut a frustrating figure for the most parts of the game.
Sergi Roberto N/A
Didn’t play enough to warrant a rating.
Munir El Haddadi N/A
Didn’t play enough to warrant a rating.
