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A resolute Sevilla resisted a late onslaught from Barcelona as they downed the Catalans 2-1 at home in a historic victory and crawled their way into the top half of the table for the first time this season. The visitors, playing their first league game since losing their talisman Lionel Messi to injury, suffered their second successive away defeat in the league, blowing a chance to move to the top of the standings.Having come close to finding the net through Neymar and Luis Suarez in the first half, the holders were punished for their profligacy when Krohn-Dehli steered a shot past Claudio Bravo to give the home side the lead. And the reigning Europa League champions quickly doubled their lead when the Dane laid an audaciously chipped cross to Iborra, who headed into the bottom corner just six minutes laterThe Blaugrana halved the deficit when Neymar slotted home a controversial penalty, as they continued to huff and puff in search of their equaliser. Sevilla, however, withstood a sustained assault from the visiting outfit and eked out a victory over their Catalan counterparts for the first time in La Liga since 2007. </ifra <p>Here are the five talking points from the thriller at Roman Sanchez Pizjuan.</p>
#1 Sevilla execute their plan to perfection
It appeared as if Sevilla had learnt a lesson from their 5-4 defeat at the hands of Barcelona two months ago in the UEFA Super Cup. Manager Unai Emery must have done his homework before the game and that clearly reflects not just by the scoreline, but also by the manner in which his side dispatched.
Having identified the Achilles heel in the form of Jordi Alba and Sergi Roberto on the either flanks, Sevilla attacked relentlessly from the wings, stretching the visiting defence inside out. Kevin Gameiro especially stood out for the hosts and took the Barcelona rearguard to the cleaners with his clever movements and crosses in dangerous areas.
The Andalusian side found their breakthrough when Sergi Roberto was out of position, allowing Gameiro to drill a cross for Krohn-Dehli to smash home. With the likes of Vicente Iborra, Grzegorz Krychowiak and Stephen N'Zonzi manning the midfield, the home side held an aerial advantage over the Catalans and made the most of it when an unmarked Iborra rose high enough to head Krohn-Dehli’s cross.
Sevilla aimed at pouncing on Barcelona’s defensive frailties, and executed their plan to perfection.
#2 A gloomy century for Neymar
Neymar featured for the 100th time in a Barcelona shirt, but couldn’t mark the occasion with anything substantial as the Brazilian ace continued to struggle in front of goal. The 23-year old played a starring role in his side’s treble count last term but hasn’t been able to emulate those heroics in the new season.
Although the Brazilian forward started brightly with a well-taken free kick that hit the post and came tantalizingly close to crossing the line, he couldn’t manage to assert himself much on the game thereafter. In the second half, he had an attempt thwarted by the Sevilla shot stopper, and the only worthwhile contribution towards the game was the penalty that he tucked away, which moreover, was a mere consolation for the visitors.
Indeed, the former Santos target man is one of the best young talents we have in the professional circuit, there’s no denying that he’s going through a rough patch at the moment and is yet to hit full throttle this season.
#3 Rico packs a hefty punch
Sevilla’s second choice in between the sticks, Sergio Rico, put on a goalkeeping masterclass that could very well make him first choice. The Spanish goalkeeper sent an ominous message to his coach Unai Emery with a terrific performance and frustrated the visitors no end.
With Beto still recuperating from his injury in the treatment room, Rico has taken up the goalkeeping mantle with great aplomb in his absence. And he did the same against the mighty Barcelona when he kept out the likes of Neymar, Suarez and Jordi Alba.
The youngster stood firm even when the Blaugrana triggered a late onslaught in the game but was quite unfortunate not to keep out the penalty. Nevertheless, it was still a memorable outing for him, and the one that could reinstate him as the most preferred choice for guarding the net for Sevilla.
#4 Sevilla getting back on track in La Liga
The champions of Europa League started the season in a blistering fashion when they pushed Barcelona to the edge in the Super Cup, but went completely off the boil when the league schedule commenced, losing three of the opening six games and winning just one. The poor run saw them languishing way down the table at 15th but they seem to have regained significant vigour six weeks into the new campaign.
Coming on the back of a 2-0 loss to Juventus in the Champions League, Sevilla weren’t expected to lay any marker here as well. But they proved everyone wrong with a morale-boosting performance.
They kept the star-studded Barcelona attack at bay for most of the time and were threatening in the attack. The two goals that they racked up were the result of some cleverly implemented moves, and in the end, deservedly took home all the three points.
Now back into the top half of the standings, Sevilla look reinvigorated and are finally finding their footing in the season.
#5 Young guns fail to impress
Without Lionel Messi, you cannot expect a team to play at the same level or with the same intensity when he’s in the fold. The ligament tear he sustained last week has sidelined him for almost two months and his absence has already started to take a toll on Barcelona.
Having survived the blushes against Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League, they couldn’t get second time lucky as they lacked the chutzpah to knock their opponents off their perch. His replacements, Munir and Sandro, were both disappointing, and have come a cropper again this time.
The former had a quiet afternoon, nary any impact in the final third or any other notable contribution to the game. Sandro, too, sailed the same boat as he couldn’t help out his attacking counterparts and misfired even the iota of chances that fell at his feet.
The La Masia graduates were well below the satisfactory mark and need to step up their game as the wheels are coming off the Barcelona wagon.
