Messi on fire as Barcelona win at Sevilla

Lionel Messi

There was no looking past the world’s best player on Saturday afternoon as Lionel Messi put on another masterclass to help Barcelona win 4-2 at Sevilla.

The home side actually went ahead through a well-taken finish from Jesus Navas but Messi equalised with a sublime left-footed volley just minutes later.

Sevilla were in the lead again at half-time, however, after Gabriel Mercado scored three minutes before the break. Pablo Machin’s side were good value for their 2-1 lead at that stage.

Machin’s half-time team-talk probably consisted of something like “keep Messi quiet and we can win this”.

Sevilla keep the pressure on Barcelona

Pablo Machin

Sevilla returned to second place in the La Liga table, with a 2-1 home win over Espanyol last weekend, sending a clear message to leaders Barcelona in the process.

Pablo Machin’s side replaced Espanyol as the closest side to Barcelona, with Joan Francesc Ferrer’s team slipping down to sixth following the loss.

Sevilla completed a double victory for Andalusia over Catalonia in Gameweek 12, with city rivals Real Betis inflicting Barcelona’s first home La Liga defeat of the season with a 4-3 victory at Camp Nou.

They have also taken advantage of Real Madrid’s inconsistency at the start of the season, to establish themselves as the main challenger to Barcelona, at this stage of the campaign.

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La Liga Game of the Weekend – Rayo Vallecano 1-4 Sevilla

sevillaWhat an opening weekend of the new season it proved to be for former Europa League champions Sevilla. Travelling to last season’s Segunda División champions Rayo Vallecano, Los Rojiblancos wound up finishing the day at the summit of Spain’s top-flight after beating their hosts 4-1. The match served as a wonderful start for Pablo Machín’s side, and also a stark warning to newboys Rayo about the level of football being played in La Liga right now. The last time they spent in the competition was back in 2016, when they were relegated with an 18th-placed finish. Their first season in the second flight was disappointing as they ended 12th, but those wrongs were corrected as they won the title last season, hoping to re-solidify themselves at the top level having spent five seasons there previous to their relegation.

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Cup kings Sevilla could spring Champions League upset

Banega-Sevilla

A team with nothing, or little to lose, is always a dangerous proposition, particularly if they are a side used to upsetting the odds.

Sevilla have essentially kissed goodbye to their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League via La Liga, as they are currently 14 points off Valencia in fourth place.

Despite not being in a position to do too much damage domestically, they are still well placed to have a key role in the season run in .

Vincenzo Montella’s side pulled off the shock of the round when they defeated Manchester United at Old Trafford, to seal a place in the Champions League quarter finals.

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Best Defenders In La Liga – Week 14

mathiasoliveira

Valencia missed a golden opportunity to gain some ground on league leaders Barcelona by losing 1-0 at the home of ten-man Getafe. Barca were only able to get a draw and so Valencia are left five points adrift at the top of La Liga. Continue reading