Sevilla 2-2 Barcelona: Player Ratings

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Messi celebrates equalizing for the Blaugrana

Sevilla held Barcelona to a 2-2 draw at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan. It was an end to end game and Joaquin Correa provided a great deal of threat going forward, coming close to scoring with his headed effort in the 21st minute.

However, the home side did get their reward for all the pressure they were applying on the Blaugrana when Franco Vazquez slotted home a Correa pass in the 36th minute giving his side the advantage at the break.

It took only four minutes for Sevilla to double their lead after the start of the second half through their striker Luis Muriel. Vincenzo Montella's side had several chances in the entirety of the second half but woeful finishing cost them.

The failure of Los Rojiblancos to put the game to bed meant Barcelona had a sniff at a comeback and the made the home team pay when they bounced back to score two goals in the span of just one minute through Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi to rescue a point for the Catalans.

Here are the player ratings:


Sevilla

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Vazquez opened the scoring for the Andalusians

Sergio Rico - 6/10

Rico did not have much of a threat on his goal as most of Barcelona's attempts brought out basic saves. A slight deflection of his hand resulted in the equalizing goal for the away side.

Gabriel Mercado - 6/10

Mercado was only involved for half of the game during which he made three vital interceptions. He did receive a yellow card for a foul on Coutinho when he was caught out of position.

Clement Lenglet - 6/10

Lenglet did a great job of closing down the Barcelona attackers keeping it tight at the back and made a total of three successful tackles.

Simon Kjaer - 7/10

Kjaer made a vital interception of Coutinho's cross as Suarez was lurking behind him to keep the score at 2-0. The Danish international had a great game overall, capping off with four interceptions and five clearances.

Sergio Escudero - 7/10

Escudero did a good job on the flank first containing Dembele and later Messi, finishing off with a treble of interceptions, clearances and tackles.

Steven N'Zonzi - 7/10

The Frenchman was excellent in midfield and was up for the challenge against Messi. He contributed with a passing accuracy of 90% along with his three tackles and two interceptions.

Ever Banega - 6/10

Banega recorded the highest number of touches in his team, with 87 and similarly completed 68 passes and four accurate long balls.

Joaquin Correa - 9/10

The Argentinian was very influential with his attacking runs and the chances he created for himself and his teammates. Correa finished the game with three shots and three key passes as well as winning two aerial duels.

Franco Vazquez - 8/10

Vazquez's tamed effort on goal was enough to take it past through Ter Stegen to give Sevilla the lead in the first half. His late claim for a penalty in the 91st minute was denied as there was clearly minimal contact between him and the defender.

Jesus Navas - 7/10

The former Manchester City winger went under the radar but did have two attempts on goal. He had an ideal chance to treble the lead when he was one on one but his second effort was cleared off the line by Pique.

Luis Muriel - 7/10

The Colombian converted with his first shot on target when the ball rebounded off Ter Stegen's hands to make it 2-0 in the 50th minute. Muriel had eight shots but only two were on target and his wasteful finishing meant that Sevilla couldn't hang on to the three points.

Substitutes

Miguel Layun - 6/10

Layun was introduced at halftime and shifted in as the right back. He initiated two counter attacks and had two shots but his weak right foot was evident on the right flank with his poor shooting.

Guido Pizarro - N/A

Pizarro replaced his Argentian compatriot Correa in the 71st minute.

Barcelona

Enter
Suarez's goal inspired the comeback

Marc-Andre Ter Stegen - 5/10

Ter Stegen's had a busy night in goal. His slightly late reaction on Vazquez's effort caused Barca to fall behind. He did make a save after the resumption of the second half but his parried effort fell straight to Muriel who doubled the lead.

Sergi Roberto - 5/10

Roberto was as usual consistent in the full back role. He did have five interceptions but was disappointing going forward as he failed to put any good crosses into the box.

Gerard Pique - 7/10

Pique had a wonderful chance on the far post to equalize but his poor anticipation and balance led to the ball going off his rear. He did prevent Sevilla going 3-0 up when he tracked back and cleared Navas' shot on the goal line. It was suspected he might have been playing through injury but that did not stop him from blocking three shots.

Samuel Umtiti - 6/10

Umtiti made a total of three clearances and made his presence known in the opposing box as he had a total of two attempts in the game.

Jordi Alba - 5/10

Just like his fellow full back, Alba also did not provide any attacking edge as he put in zero successful crosses in the entire game despite putting in three accurate long balls.

Andres Iniesta - 6/10

Iniesta completed the game with two key passes and four long balls before coming off in the 80th minute.

Ivan Rakitic - 6/10

It was a quiet game for the former Sevilla man as he could notch up only shot on goal, capping off with a total of 84 passes with four accurate long passes in ot he box

Paulinho - 5/10

The Brazilian did have the highest pass completion rate with 97% but he failed to make any significant contribution either with his passing or goal threat.

Ousmane Dembele - 5/10

Dembele had a fair game as he completed the game having registered 35 touches along with his two key passes and crosses respectively but was dispossessed four times before being coming off in the 57th minute.

Luis Suarez - 7/10

Suarez did have seven shots but that wasn't a true reflection of his evening as he did not have any proper service from his full backs or wingers. However, he did break the deadlock in the 88th minute which splurged a late comeback from the Catalans.

Phillipe Coutinho - 7/10

Coutinho got his opportunity of starting on the left wing and he had decent game, registering a tally of five dribbles, two shots and three key passes but lacked output in the final third of the pitch.

Substitutes

Lionel Messi - 8/10

Messi was brought in the 57th minute and had immediate impact on the game. He had a total of four shots and 39 touches and scored the important equalizing goal in the 89th minute to clinch a point for Barca.

Denis Suarez - N/A

The Spaniard came on as a replacement for Paulinho in the 76th minute.

Paco Alcacer - N/A

Alcacer was introduced in the 80th minute to provide more attacking force.

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Edited by Kishan Prasad