Sevilla – Barcelona: Sevilla exploits Barcelona’s fragile defense to deliver an emphatic rout (4–1)

Matías Almeyda’s Sevilla gave the Spanish champions their second defeat of the week, as his intense style of football was too much for Flick’s Barcelona. 

Tactical analysis and match report by Sebastian Parreño.

Barcelona arrived in Seville needing a positive result. Flick’s side had just endured a disappointing midweek defeat in Europe, and their vulnerability in defensive transition had become a recurring theme of discussion. They also knew that Real Madrid had won their game, so they had to at least get a point to maintain their first place in the league. To do that they had to face of the league’s most intense and combative teams in La Liga in
Almeyda’s Sevilla.

For the hosts, this was more than just another big home game. Sevilla had struggled to find consistency earlier in the season but showed glimpses of Almeyda’s trademark intensity. Hosting the defending champions offered the perfect opportunity to showcase their newfound identity and renew the sentiment of belief within a fanbase that had grown used to success. What followed was a contest where Sevilla proved that they are back to being a
team no one wants to play against.

Sevilla lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Odysseas Vlachodimos in goal, behind José Ángle Carmona, César Azpilicueta, Marcão and Gabriel Suazo. Batista Mendy and Lucien Agoumé formed the double pivot, behind Djibril Sow, Alexis Sánchez and Rubén Vargas. Up front played Isaac Romero.

Barcelona featured a comparable formation with Wojciech Szczęsny in goal behind Jules Koundé, Ronald Araújo, Pau Cubarsí and . . .