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Sevilla vs Barcelona
FC Barcelona faced a trip to the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on Tuesday evening for a meeting with Sevilla.
Xavi Hernandez’s side headed into the game having finally put an end to their poor form by scrapping a win against Elche.
It was not a spectacular win, but it did move La Blaugrana much closer to the top-four heading into Tuesday’s game, just three points behind 4th place Rayo Vallecano, who they had a game in hand on.
However, Barca were facing off with a Sevilla side who are sat 2nd in La Liga and have the best defensive record in La Liga this term.
As a result, Xavi and co. were no doubt expecting a tough game this evening.
Barcelona dealt double blow
And it would indeed be Sevilla who took the lead in the tie. The home outfit gained the lead after 32 minutes when Papu Gomez lashed home an effort from a corner routine.
A goal straight from the training ground! 👏
The corner finds Papu Gomez and a lovely finish gives Sevilla the lead ⚪🔴 pic.twitter.com/jDM2VmatCj
— Premier Sports (@PremierSportsTV) December 21, 2021
Barcelona, though, hit back with a corner goal of their own in first-half injury time, with Ronald Araujo leaping highest to head home from an Ousmane Dembele cross.
Then, the Catalonian outfit were handed another boost when Jules Kounde was shown a red card after 64 minutes:
Jules Kounde is sent off for throwing the ball at Jordi Alba’s head! 😱
A big opportunity for Barcelona now 🔵🔴 pic.twitter.com/ihwaGoaupx
— Premier Sports (@PremierSportsTV) December 21, 2021
Despite Sevilla spending over half an hour with 10 men, Barcelona were unable to find a second goal, being forced to settle for a point – a result that will no doubt dissapoint Xavi and one which also once again higlighted Barca’s lack of fire power up top.
Youngster Feran Jutgla was the man tasked with filling the no.9 role against Sevilla, but he did little and was eventualy replaced by Nicol Gonzalez. This led to Xavi trying all of Gavi, an out of form Luuk de Jong and even Gerard Pique up top to find a winner late in the match.
Yet again, though, for all their possesion, Barcelona lacked that presence in the box needed to score enough goals, something they must adress in January if they wish to truly mount a challenge for the top-four.
As well as failing to pick up three points against 10 men and having issues with their striking spot once more, Barcelona were also dealt a double personell blow ahead of their meeting with Mallorca on Sunday the 2nd of January.
Gavi and Sergio Busequets both picked up their 5th yellow cards of the La Liga seaosn vs Sevilla, which means they are now suspended for their club’s next league outing.
Gavi and Busquets now both suspended for Barça’s game Mallorca at the start of Jan
— Samuel Marsden (@samuelmarsden) December 21, 2021
