FC Barcelona drew 1-1 with Sevilla FC in a La Liga second leg tie. The Blaugrana were the better team for long stretches, but despite being outplayed in the closing stages, they could only manage a draw against the second-placed team in the table. Sevilla can’t really close the gap to Real Madrid.
After beating reigning champions Atletico Madrid – their third league win in a row – and sitting in second place, Sevilla FC went into their post-match clash with crisis-hit FC Barcelona slightly favoured.
Julen Lopetegui fielded former Bundesliga legionnaires Rekik, Delaney and Rakitic from the start for Real Madrid’s only real rival, while Barça coach Xavi relied mainly on young talents like Abde and Jutgla offensively, as he did in the 3-2 win over Elche at the weekend.
The Blaugrana dominated the first half hour in the pouring rain of Sevilla and had a goal-shot statistic of 9:0, but only de Jong’s header caused a little danger (15th).
Gomez surprises Blaugrana – Araujo heads the equaliser
Sevilla coach Lopetegui was pacing along the sidelines and could not be satisfied with the passive play of his charges – until the 32nd minute. Then the Barcelona defence overlooked the incoming Gomez, who finished the low cross into the far corner – ter Stegen was helpless (32nd).
Thus, the hosts were on target for the moment despite a less than appealing performance. But even the best defence in La Liga (twelve goals conceded at this point) defended too carelessly shortly before the break and allowed Araujo to run free, who then pushed a Dembelé corner into the net for a deserved equaliser (45th).
Koundé loses his nerve – Barça create great chances when outnumbered
In the second half, both teams found it even more difficult to attack, Barça no longer pressed as early and hardly got forward, Sevilla also continued to be dangerous only from set pieces. The game was rather unspectacular, but suddenly got a spicy note when Koundé lost his nerve after a little jostling by Jordi Alba, threw the ball in the left defender’s face and was consequently sent off (64th).
Afterwards, the game became much more heated, but Barça were hardly able to get in front of Sevilla keeper Bono’s goal even when they were outnumbered. That changed abruptly when Gavi headed in an Abde cross but lacked precision (81). Barça increased the pressure and Dembelé hit the post a little later (85th), but the goal was not to be scored again after that.
FC Barcelona missed out on a win and a place in the Champions League, but showed clear improvement under Xavi and gave the second-placed team a run for their money. Sevilla FC failed to close the gap to Real Madrid to three points. For both teams, that was the end of the 2021 season, but in the new year, the action continues: Cup winners Barcelona visit Mallorca on 2 January, and Sevilla travel to Cadiz one day later.
