Leader with a flawless 18 points in six days, FC Barcelona arrived at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán to pass a first real test this season. Fifth at kick-off and beaten only once, Sevilla had arguments to make against the Catalans deprived of their starting goalkeeper Garcia and who launched Dominik Livakovic for the first time. Barça immediately got on the ball and Lamine Yamal forced Vlachodimos to make a superb save on a curling shot which ended on the post (8th). But the Sevillian pressing considerably disturbed Hansi Flick’s men. After a high recovery from a Barcelona throw-in, Félix Correia crossed hard at the near post for Youssouf Fofana, who beat two defenders and opened the scoring (1-0, 18th). The advantage lasted only three minutes. Christensen broke two lines with a superb pass to find Raphinha, who eliminated his defender before adjusting Vlachodimos with the flat of his foot (1-1, 21st).
Although Barça monopolized more of the ball, Sevilla managed to impose an unusual fight on them. Very aggressive in recovery and capable of projecting themselves quickly, the Andalusians particularly hampered the associations between Yamal, Raphinha and Gordon. Livakovic had to intervene on a set piece (27th), while the Catalans responded with a few accelerations from Yamal without managing to lastingly unbalance the opposing block. Félix Correia even had one last opportunity to give his team the advantage in added time, but lacked clarity in the area. At the end of a particularly fast-paced first period, Barça returned to the locker room without leading the score for the first time this season (1-1).
Yamal delights, Raphinha blows up Sevilla
The appearance completely changed after the break. Barcelona came back with much more control and took only six minutes to take control. After a poor Sevillian restart, Lamine Yamal recovered the ball at the edge of the area, eliminated three opponents and crossed for Raphinha, who beat his defender to score his second goal (1-2, 51st). Sevilla could, however, have some regrets when the referee interrupted an action while Félix Correia was going to face Livakovic (56th), in order to return to Andreas Christensen, who remained on the ground and finally replaced by Gerard Martín. Barcelona then continued to push. A countered shot from Rodri for a corner (64th), before Raphinha also hits the upright on an incoming corner.
The efforts made by Sevilla in the first half ended up paying off. Spaces appeared, the pressure lost intensity and Barcelona could finally completely settle in their game. Yamal took the opportunity to slip a superb ball in the interval to Raphinha, who shot his shot past Vlachodimos to complete his hat-trick (1-3). Gordon then missed two opportunities to increase the score, before the Sevillian goalkeeper made a superb save from a free kick from Dani Olmo (88th). With 77% possession after the break, Barça gradually stifled an Andalusian team limited to two attempts in the second half. Raphinha leads the scoring charts with 12 goals, while Yamal now has four assists. Still undefeated, the Catalans therefore retain their leadership position before the international break and will host Getafe on October 10. Sevilla remain fifth ahead of their trip to Levante two days later.
