Barcelona had an outing to forget as the got schooled by Julen Lopetegui’s Sevilla side at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan. Jules Kounde and Ivan Rakitic scored the goals for the home side in the first leg of the Copa del Rey Semi-Final.
Barcelona’s tactics on the night were questionable as the team seemed out of ideas by the end of the match. To make matters worse, Koeman opted to introduce substitutes onto the field of play as late as the final ten minutes of the fixture.
As usual, Samuel Umtiti, had an evening to forget in the colours of Barcelona. The defender made two poor defensive errors that have cost Barcelona the match and also possibly the chance to win any sort of silverware this season. Sevilla’s Yassine Bono was a standout performer who made a handful of crucial saves to deny the Catalans a chance to get onto the scoresheet.
Here’s how Barcelona players are rated in their 2-0 defeat against Sevilla away from home –
Barcelona Player Ratings Against Sevilla
Barcelona Player Ratings Against Sevilla
GK : Marc Andre Ter Stegen – 7/10
Not one of the best evening for Ter Stegen who was unable to hold onto a clean-sheet. Ter Stegen would be disappointed with his effort for Sevilla’s first goal of the night where he could have done better. The goalie made a few crucial saves that have kept Barcelona’s chances open for a return in the second leg.
RB : Junior Firpo – 7/10
Firpo did not seem to make the most of the opportunity in his hands. The defender did a fairly satisfactory job at the right-back slot.
CB : Oscar Mingueza – 7/10
Mingueza kept things tight at the back but would be feeling let down by his defensive partner, Samuel Umtiti.
CB : Samuel Umtiti – 6/10
Poor performance by Umtiti who was the guilty party for both the goals Barcelona conceded on the night. The defender played Rakitic onside during the build-up to the second goal and also ended up slipping and that ensured that his marker got away with ease. Fransisco Trincao was brought on to replace Umtiti in the final few moments of the match.
LB : Jordi Alba – 7/10
An average evening from the full-back who seemed to be slow to the pace of the game. Alba failed to link-up with Messi and Griezmann to effect.
CM : Frenkie de Jong – 7/10
The Dutchman toiled hard throughout the ninety minutes of the game and tried to inspire a depleted and defeated Barcelona side.
CM : Sergio Busquets – 7/10
Not one of the best nights for Busquets. The Spaniard misplaced a couple of passes and looked a bit worn out. It was difficult to understand Koeman’s decision of leaving Busquets on the field of play for the entire duration of the match.
CM : Pedri – 7/10
The midfielder tried to weave magic from midfield but it did not seem to be Pedri’s day. The 18-year-old made way for Riqui Puig in the second half of the match.
RW : Ousmane Dembele – 7/10
A lot more was expected out of the Frenchman on the night. Dembele failed to get himself into dangerous areas and his delivery in the final third was a bit off the mark on a couple of occasions as well.
ST : Lionel Messi – 8/10
The Argentine was undoubtedly one of the best performers of the night. Messi very nearly got onto the score-sheet on a few occasions but Sevilla’s goalie, Bono, was always at par to the lethal attacker.
LW : Antoine Griezmann – 7/10
Griezmann was slow in his stride and it reflected in his performance across the match. The Frenchman seemed to be lacking the flare he had displayed in recent games.
Substitutes
CM : Riqui Puig – 6/10
Riqui Puig did not have much involvement with play post his introduction. He replaced Pedri on the field of play.
ST : Fransico Trincao – 6/10
Trincao did not have much involvement with play post his introduction. He replaced Umtiti on the field of play.
