Sevilla against Barcelona Dembele liberated by change of formation
Messi lifts Barcelona closer to Atletico
Reviews of Barcelona players vs Sevilla: Ilaix is here to stay
R.Onald Koeman’s decision to switch to a back three released the firepower that could propel it Barcelona in a title race at LaLiga Santander.
Ousmane Dembele and Lionel Messi proved too dangerous for Sevilla as they each scored a goal to send the Blaugrana within two points of leaders Atletico Madrid
Dembele was brilliant at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan and gave Jules Kounde a difficult afternoon. The forward was free to move forward due to the change in Barcelona’s formation, with one of his offensive runs ending with the opening goal.
Barcelona had every chance to finish the game before Messi scored their second goal late in the game. In another series of missed opportunities, Sergino Dest hit the post and Messi himself sent Dembele’s cut high over the bar.
Gerard Pique came out for only 67 minutes when he started to feel the strain of an injury problem. His replacement, Ronald Araujo, who made his own comeback after an injury, was subsequently forced from himself in the 77th minute. There was also Pedri, who left injured in the 70th minute.
There were nervous faces in the Barcelona camp when Marc-Andre ter Stegen hurt his hand during the warm-up. The German goalkeeper was forced to give up treatment and was able to start the game without any problems.
Papu Gomez summed up Sevilla’s first half in Nervion as he struggled to have any kind of impact on the game. It was no surprise that he was changed at halftime.