Sevilla versus FC Barcelona –La Liga - March 31, 2018 – Match Review

Sevilla versus FC Barcelona –La Liga -  March 31, 2018 – Match Review

The phenomenal Messi Effect saved the Day for Barca

Against Sevilla, Valverde fielded a full strength FC Barcelona with the exception of Leo Messi who was on the bench because of a hamstring niggle. It was a sedate start for Barca, but soon it was obvious that almost all the players who were busy with their countries' international friendlies in the earlier week, were too tired and looked out of sorts.

Sevilla took advantage of a sluggish Barca. The Barca defenders found it very hard to keep with the attackers. For the first time, this season, the Barcelona defense was found wanting on all fronts. Some meaningful attacks were created by Barcelona but the finishing, surprisingly, lacked the usual punch. While Sevilla were fantastic, Barcelona seemed to lack the spark and the will.

Through a comedy of defensive errors, Sevilla landed their first goal. Correa gave a lovely cross to Vazquez, who despite being surrounded by a number of Barca players was left completely free to score the first Sevilla goal with a simple finish.

It was the same story in the second half as Barca were on the back-foot by the constant Sevilla raids. The Barca defenders playing high up were found wanting at the back. Escudero who managed to shake off the defenders, unleashed a fierce shot which was parried off by a desperate Ter Stegen, but it deflected on to the path of the incoming Muriel who was left totally unmarked and who did not make any mistake in finishing it off. A well deserved Sevilla were up 2-0. It must have been 3-0 if Navas had not fluffed the open chance that came his way in another counter. Murial was also guilty of missing two great chances.

With about 30 minutes to go Leo Messi was brought in for Dembele. It immediately had a psychological impact on both the teams. While Sevilla became more cautious, Barcelona suddenly woke up. There was a hush in the stadium as Sevilla saw their chief tormentor step into the playing arena. The little magician started to see more of the ball and for the first time, Barcelona were in attack mode. Everyone had a spring in their step and they rallied around their talisman with all the energy they can muster. Despite constant breaks by Sevilla, it was Barca who were attacking more. Countinho, Messi and Iniesta started linking with Suarez, who cut a lone figure in the front, till then. 

Luis Suarez narrowly missed scoring a couple of times, Jordi Alba chose to cross instead of taking a shot while Rakitic’s fantastic header hit the crossbar. Messi also tried a few shots on goal without any success. In the meantime Denis Suarez and Alcacer was brought in for Paulinho and Iniesta. Sevilla opted for defensive substitutions with the main aim of cutting out the passes aimed for Messi. As the 85^th minute approached, it looked like Sevilla would be able to hold off the attacks of Barca with some effective tackles and by keeping the ball to themselves. It they could do it, it would be the first defeat for FC Barcelona this season ending their unbeaten run, thus far.

But led by the relentless Messi, Barcelona refused to give in. A corner kick was nodded in by Alcacer and Luis Suarez scored the first Barca goal with a wonderful acrobatic effort. It was 87 minutes and Sevilla were still up 2-1. In the next minute, the brilliant Coutinho pushed into the D and cut a cross back which was behind the incoming Luis Suarez. As Denis Suarez approached it, from the right, Messi  sprinted in with no one tracking him and sent in a thunderous strike with that special left foot. Despite the best efforts of the goalkeeper Rico, the ball found its target. Messi made it 2-2 in the 88^th minute leaving every Sevilla defender with their hands on their head in frustration. The match ended in a 2-2 draw. 

A dominant Sevilla deserved to win. But too many misses, earlier on, cost them the game.  Barca were all over the place constantly caught out by Sevilla. FC Barcelona could have lost it by a big margin, but they managed to hang in there. In came Leo Messi and it was as if the dead Barcelona team were electrified. 

It was a bad game by Barcelona standards with most players looking tired and slow. In fact it was one of the worst games that Barcelona played this season. But Luis Suarez and Messi were just relentless. A narrow escape for Barcelona, who came away with their incredible, unbeaten run intact. The Messi effect on this team was amazing. What an unbelievable comeback!

It would have been better if Valverde had fielded the well rested players like Alcacer, Denis Suarez, Vermaelen and Cillesen instead of the regulars who were still suffering from the fatigue of the long travels and international friendlies. In fact the bringing in of Denis and Paco brought in more energy and coordination to the team. Thankfully it did not prove to be too bad for the coach as Messi and Suarez saved the day for Barca.

I was actually drafting a tweet about FC Barcelona's first loss of the season to Sevilla in LaLiga when everything changed in just 2 minutes. The game feels totally unreal and I am still in a daze.  

Well! With a team that totally backs its little magician Messi - not just anything, everything is possible.