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Barcelona and Sevilla have made very contrasting starts to their respective La Liga campaigns. While the Catalan giants have started the campaign with three consecutive wins and are currently on top of the table, Sevilla are yet to record their first win of the season having been beaten once and drawing the other two games. Let’s take a look at 5 player battles that could change the game:
Lionel Messi vs. Juan Torres Ruiz
Sevilla are currently slightly short of players in defence. Defenders Federico Fazio, Nico Pareja and Daniel Carrico are all ruled out of the match due to injuries. Juan Torres Ruiz, also known as Cala, is one of the only recognisable centre-backs currently available for selection. He will have the unenviable task of trying to contain Messi and making sure the Argentine wizard doesn’t create too much trouble throughout the match. Messi has managed to make some of the best defenders look ordinary when he is on song so it’s safe to say that Cala will no doubt have his work cut out for him.
Kevin Gamiero vs. Gerard Pique
Kevin Gamiero has scored 2 goals in 3 league games for Sevilla and has looked good for the Andalusian side. Pique is a quality defender but is prone to the occasional lapse in concentration. He will have to be at his best to make sure that the Frenchman, who is known for his trickery in and around the penalty area, doesn’t create too many problems in the attacking third of the field.
Marko Marin vs. Sergio Busquets
The German attacker, on loan from Chelsea, will be Sevilla’s main creative threat in an attacking position. Therefore it will be up to Sergio Busquets, who has recovered in time from a thigh injury to be available for selection, to ensure that he doesn’t get the required space in which to exert his influence on the game. Marin had a decent pre-season campaign for Sevilla and given how frustrating a season he had last year, the former Bremen man will be looking to put in good performances while out on loan.
Xavi Hernandez vs. Ivan Rakitic
Both players have similar jobs for their respective clubs. They are the ones who pull the strings from midfield and a lot of their team’s attacking play depends on them. Both are quality players who can influence the game the game in any way. Therefore, the result will depend on how well or badly these players do tomorrow.
Andres Iniesta vs. Vicente Iborra
Given the freedom Iniesta is usually afforded in midfield, he is very hard to mark and almost always has a direct impact on the game. However, the one man who will be most responsible for trying to bog him down will be Iborra. It’s an unenviable task but given how much the front line relies on Iniesta for service, it will be a very important job indeed.
