Seville was not the best. But the Sánchez-Pizjuán is one of those types of stadiums that pushes. Which sounds different. That imposes more if possible when he is hurt in his pride after seeing his team stripped of the power of Diego Carlos, Lucas Ocampos or Koundé himself, yesterday on the other side of the board. Whatever the situation, the Sevilla fief acts as a thermometer to delimit the potential of the rivals who step on it. And yesterday he ruled in favor of Barça, who won 0-3 and who proved to have a special colour. Thanks to the scoring nose of two new students, Raphinha and Lewandowski. To which was added the third goal by Eric Garcia. And if the invention falls, this Barça has another insurance named Ter Segen. That also adds points,
Regulated by Xavi's meritocracy, Barça began to slow down and suffer. The coach's system of government traced Valladolid's eleven, leaving Alba on the bench again. Xavi preferred Balde. There were also no options for Piqué. Four center backs watch him from the rearview mirror. At Pizjuán it was Araújo and Eric Garcia's turn again. The necessary dose of curiosity was provided by Koundé who returned to Nervión to become a nightmare as a right back.
There were no surprises in goal beyond the fact that Ter Stegen had a lot of work. Lacking stars, Lopetegui opted for a conservative eleven with Rakitic playing his first minutes as a starter of the course. The Croatian was the first to create danger by forcing the German goalkeeper to pull out a miraculous hand. Then he covered another excellent cross from En-Nesyri. He couldn't with Lamela. Fortunately, the goal was offside. While former Madrid player Isco Alarcón, who also made his debut in Lopetegui's starting eleven, drove Dembélé crazy.
But this Barça is also a chameleon. When the game did not accompany the offensive talent yesterday again reserved for Raphinha, Dembélé and Lewandowski. In a scenario of absolute chaos, Xavi's men regained their authority with a great team move that ended in a Raphinha goal. It all started with Gavi, who masterfully stole the ball from Lamela. Perhaps because of this type of recoveries that were constantly repeated, Xavi continues to bet on the youth squad rather than on Frenkie de Jong.
In a recipe with a lot of new ingredients, it is also convenient to preserve the flavor of the usual. Then Busquets appeared, who interceded for Dembélé although it was Lewandowski who finished off. The ball did not enter miraculously because Fernando was there. But Raphinha passed by there. who headed in Bono's goal, scoring his first goal as a Blaugrana.
Football wanted to reward the Pole, who converts almost everything he touches into a goal. And Lewandowski found the 0-2 after a great connection with Koundé. The Frenchman raised his head as Xavi likes, he beat Gudelj and Nianzou to assist the Barcelona star striker who has already scored five goals in four league games. A treasure.
Before intermission, Koundé forgave after a great cross from Pedri. But he especially stung the erratic Dembélé who incomprehensibly sent the ball into the clouds after a vertiginous counterattack from Lewandowski.
Sevilla returned to the fray taking advantage of another Barça disconnection. Eric Garcia avoided Lamela's shot after a lateral pass from Acuña. Not to miss out on the excitement of the match, the tables were turned and it was the center-back who saw the goal to score the final 0-3. The strategy worked: Raphinha's cross after a short corner kick, Koundé headed in at the far post and Eric pushed into the net. It is his first goal with Barça and also as a professional.
Sevilla did not give up with two more incursions. Ter Stegen avoided Lamela's goal and Sánchez Pizjuán whistled for En-Nesyri while he left the green. The reinforcements from the Blaugrana side also arrived. Affected by the effort, Eric Garcia requested the substitution and Sergi Roberto entered.
There were minutes for Frenkie de Jong, Ferran Torres and not to mention, also for Jordi Alba. Lacking in confidence, the one from L'Hospitalet almost got into trouble. He wanted to clear a ball with a volley but he hit it badly and brushed the ball with his arm,
How could it be otherwise, the game ended up being played in the areas, with Bono saving another shot from Lewandowski and Ter Stegen one from Papu Gómez, Lopetegui's last change. Barça's was Ansu Fati who tried it with a timid header near the post. “I need them all”, Xavi had warned. Justly. The Champions returns on Wednesday.
