'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#3 Sevilla vs Barcelona, Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, 23rd February 2019
After the trip to Lyon, which will surely be an exhausting fixture if not played the right way, Barcelona comes back to Spain to face Sevilla four days later.
Their lead at the top of the table, if everything goes well, will be only six points and in danger of dropping to four or even three at Seville.
Sevilla at home is a really tough opponent to face. They beat Real Madrid 3-0 when they faced earlier this season and also beat Barcelona 2-0 in the first leg of the Copa Del Rey quarters.
Last season, Barcelona trailed by two goals till the 88th minute before Lionel Messi struck from the bench to turn the game to 2-2. Dropping points here will tighten the pressure on Barcelona at the top of the table.
There is no chance that Barcelona can take with this game and thus rotations are very limited here. The only change that we propose is to use Sergi Roberto as right-back due to the long night that he is bound to have at Lyon.
Another change, which is highly unlikely given Valverde's favoritism, is dropping Rakitic to the bench and use Coutinho instead. If Coutinho is to play midfield, it will most likely happen at Alena's expense. But again, we are the coach here.
Tactics:
What we witnessed when Sevilla faced Real Madrid at home is pretty clear. They neglected the possession game but were extremely strong on the counter attacks. Ben-Yedder and Andre Silva chipped in with the goals as they ran out 3-0 winners.
When Sevilla faced Madrid at the Bernabeu, we noticed a few things too. Madrid pushed their lines up high, their midfield was in complete control of the game, they got more than enough chances to expose the defense of Sevilla.
What did Sevilla do? They were solid, rock-solid at the back. There might have been moments where they were put to shame by Vinicius, but the appreciation to them goes to the fact that they recompose themselves quickly. It was Casemiro's long-shot that gave them the lead, late in the day.
Do we have a clear idea of what Barcelona expect here? So what should be the gameplan? It isn't much different for each game but there are certain points that should always be kept in mind, especially the opposition's weaknesses.
We witnessed the game between Sevilla and Madrid at Bernabeu and couldn't help but notice one fact. Vinicius Junior's poor decision making and Madrid's poor finishing cost them at least three goals.
Where did the chances come from? The left flank of attack, the right side of the defence, where Jesus Navas started and Carrico supported him.
That is where Barcelona have to be good at and thankfully for them, Dembele and Alba will be on that wing. Rather than going about passing in the middle, pushing it from the left half-space and left wing will help Barcelona's cause to get a goal.
Sevilla doesn't mind parking the bus when the time gets ticking. So, the next key for the Blaugrana will be to score early, if possible, play as they did at Camp Nou. Lionel Messi played at Nou Camp for 15 minutes and he rattled Sevilla. Barcelona has to do the same again, only this time at Sevilla's home.
Pique's task here is simple yet complicated. Simple to understand and complicated to execute. He has to push the defensive line high to keep the pressure while attacking. If you let them have a five-minute spell of possession then you have to start from scratch, it consumes more energy.
Coutinho is our pick to start at left-midfield, provided he plays well in the game against Valladolid in that position.
He should be taking the risks that he has been reluctant to take so far. He passes it safely sideways rather than play a lofty through ball or at least try to. We don't need that Coutinho here.
There is no point of him play as the creative midfielder if he doesn't do that. A thing which could work in his favor is the ease to link with Suarez from the left half-space rather than the left-wing where Valverde starts him.
Let us come to substitutions. If Barcelona is leading by at least two goals by 65 minutes, we propose Malcom's introduction at Lionel Messi's expense.
He needs that 25-minute rest to take the next game on. If the goal difference is not achieved, then the coach should decide whether to substitute him based on the momentum.
If Sevilla looks like scoring if they convert their chances then better keep Messi on. Once the block their defenses then I doubt if anybody other than Messi can unlock it.
We still want Malcom to feature in this game and if the situation to substitute Messi is not ideal, we want Suarez taken off.
The scoreline doesn't matter in this case. It can be a 1 goal lead or maybe even a deadlock. Malcom will simply add fresh legs, faster legs to Messi's creativity and magic. However, even here, in a deadlock, Barcelona should assess the linkup plays. If Suarez is heavily involved then better drop the idea of taking him out.
The other substitution that we propose is to take Lenglet off, around the 75 or 70-minute mark, and replace him by Todibo or Murillo.
If Barcelona is in control, Arturo Vidal can be introduced in place of Busquets for the last 20 minutes or so. If they are not in control and are being bullied around by Sevilla, then Vidal should replace either of Coutinho or Alena, around the 65-minute mark.
Key Player: Gerard Pique
The Barcelona defensive general will have his work cut out against Sevilla. They are a team who are counter-attacking and have the pace to outrun both of Barcelona's central defenders.
Pique's concentration level, his prowess to win the balls in one-on-one situations and his anticipations will be crucial.
The defensive line has to be pushed up high so he should also be aware of the time that he will have to react to counters.
