Sevilla 2-4 FC Barcelona: 5 Talking Points and Tactical Analysis | LaLiga 2018/19

Barcelona scraped past Sevilla 4-2 to consolidate their position at the top of the table. The home side started swiftly and immediately applied pressure on the visitors. The hosts’ slick play was rewarded with a goal in the 22nd minute when a sweeping counter-attack was finished off by Jesus Navas.

Sevilla’s lead though was wiped off in a trice as Lionel Messi struck a sublime volley to level proceedings in the 26th minute.

However, in the 42nd minute, Gabriel Mercado took advantage of some poor Barcelona defending to hand Sevilla a half-time lead.

The second half assumed a similar pattern to the first with Barcelona controlling the ball and Sevilla waiting to pounce on the turnover. Yet, a certain Messi had other plans as he scored in the 67th and 85th minute to power Barcelona into the lead.

The Argentine also laid the ball on a plate for Luis Suarez to ripple the net in stoppage time.

While the victory helped Barcelona increase their lead at the top, the defeat left Sevilla in 5th position.

Here is a look at the major talking points from the game:

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#5. Sevilla unlucky to come away empty-handed

Sevilla FC were unlucky to lose

The game ended 4-2 in Barcelona’s favour yet the score-line was hardly a reflection of the balance of play. The hosts were scintillating for large parts of the game and were extremely unfortunate to concede all three points to their illustrious rivals.

The Andalusian club seemed to have Barcelona’s number in the first half as they defended well, negated the space in midfield and continuously mounted menacing counter-attacks.

In addition, Sevilla’s movement off the ball was impressive. Their trait of playing with four at the back while attacking and switching to a five when defending tactically tied Barcelona in knots.

Moreover, the hosts’ bravery and composure on the ball was a sight to behold. The likes of Ever Banega, Pablo Sarabia and Quincy Promes enjoyed themselves in the first half and caused the visitors problems.

Over the course of the season, Sevilla has been one of the most entertaining sides to watch and they weren’t any different on Saturday.

Yet, football is as cruel a game as any and despite being the better side for three quarters of the game, they had to go home empty-handed.

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#4. Barcelona’s defensive deficiencies rear their ugly head

Sevilla made Barcelona pay twice in the first half

Barcelona’s title-winning campaign last term was built on a strong defensive foundation. However, in 2018-19, they have been anything but solid defensively.

In the current season, they have looked vulnerable away from home. In addition to the league, Barcelona’s defensive frailties have also been exposed on the road in the Copa Del Rey. Against Sevilla, their defensive shortcomings were again brought to the fore.

The first goal came about after the visitors were caught out on the break. The play was developing on Barcelona’s right side and hence, Jordi Alba had indulged in one of his trademark runs. However, as soon as the ball was lost, the left-back was out of position. The void left by Alba was mercilessly exploited by Navas who stroked the ball home.

For the second goal, Barcelona completely went to sleep as Mercado was accorded the freedom of the penalty box to fire past Marc-Andre Ter Stegen.

At the moment, Barcelona are fighting on all possible fronts and their attack has enough firepower to dig them out of most domestic and continental holes. Yet, if they contrive to keep digging their own defensive graves, they might not be left with too many escape routes.

#3. Coutinho and Suarez’s poor form continues

Apart from the goal, Suarez was pretty poor

For the trip to Sevilla, Ernesto Valverde kept faith with Barcelona’s beleaguered South American duo, Philippe Coutinho and Luis Suarez.

Though the latter popped up with a goal in injury time, he was pretty awful before that. The Uruguayan’s touch let him down and his attempts at dribbling weren’t any better. At times, Suarez looked like a bull in a China shop.

However, he did get on the scoresheet and Barcelona would hope the goal acts as a catalyst for his revival.

Coutinho, meanwhile, was woeful against Sevilla. The Brazilian was anonymous for long periods and nothing came off for him.

To rub salt into his wounds, Barcelona’s attacking play improved drastically after he was brought off in favour of Carles Alena.

While Barcelona have been preparing from Suarez’s inevitable fall from grace, the ordinary form of Coutinho has been a bolt from the blue.

Bought for a world record fee in January 2018, the Brazilian looks a pale shadow of the player who lit up the Premier League for fun. And if Coutinho can’t conjure similar displays, he could find himself slipping into the wilderness very soon.

#2. Barcelona just about get the job done

Barcelona got out of jail against Sevilla

Barcelona has endured a far from fantastic February. In the second month of this year, the Blaugrana had only won a solitary game before Saturday. Though they notched their second win of February against Sevilla, they were far from convincing.

The visitors were second best for the majority of the game and should count themselves lucky to emerge from the game with anything, let alone three points.

On occasions, Barcelona looked all over the place defensively and could’ve found themselves in serious strife had Sevilla capitalised.

Moreover, their midfield lacked mobility as Sergio Busquets, Ivan Rakitic and Arturo Vidal were overrun regularly.

Additionally, the visitors’ approach play lacked creativity and they struggled to put Sevilla under the cosh.

On Saturday, Barcelona genuinely got out of jail. Though legend says that champions distinguish themselves with their characteristic of winning ugly, Barcelona has looked too shoddy for comfort in recent times.

All is not lost yet for Barcelona. But with similar displays, everything could turn pear-shaped in the blink of an eye.

#1. Lionel Messi saves the day, yet again

Majestic Messi saved Barcelona again

Barcelona was trailing by a goal with less than half an hour to play. However, one man single-handedly dragged them to victory. No prizes for guessing: that man was none other than Lionel Messi.

Messi was simply astonishing against Sevilla and he showcased his full repertoire of finishing techniques.

The first goal was an exquisite volley from the edge of the box while his second was a beautifully crafted right-footed shot into the top corner. As for the third goal, he latched onto a loose ball and made a mockery of Tomas Vaclik’s attempt to rush out, with a delicate dink. He capped off his virtuoso display by bagging an assist in the 93rd minute.

When Messi is in such a mood, he is the best player in the world bar none. Sevilla tried everything yet ran into an inspired Messi. After all, there is only so much the hosts could do against him.

For most players, such a performance would rank among their best ever. Yet, for Messi, it was probably just another day at the office.