Barcelona got three vital points in Seville with a 2-1 victory in what was a thoroughly entertaining match.
Javier Mascherano
The Argentinian showed that he’s still good enough to start for Barcelona with a commanding display in a tough game. Sevilla put the defense under intense pressure, so they needed calm heads at the back. Mascherano embodied this because he broke up multiple attacks with interceptions and well-timed tackles as well as moving the ball around efficiently. There has been a lot of criticism of him this season which has been warranted, but this performance could be a turning point. This was probably the hardest match of the season for Barça, so the fact that he was able to step up for the occasion should restore confidence in his ability to be a starter.
Denis Suárez
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It seems like Suárez has laid claim to the central midfield position, left open by Iniesta’s injury, thanks to his performance last night. It’s a hard role to play, as evidenced by the matches that Barcelona have struggled in recently. The role is important to the team due to it being a vital connection between where the play is started at the back, and the deadly front three which is the ultimate destination for the ball. He linked up well with the front three where needed, and helped Lucas Digne on the wing as well as generally cutting out the opposition’s play.
The defensive side of the role is often overlooked, but it is crucial in ensuring Barcelona’s success. More experienced players such as Arda Turan and André Gomes have struggled at meeting these standards. In contrast to this, Suárez thrived in this role, and definitely deserves an extended run in the team. It could be a bit too early to call this, but Suárez might be the long-term solution for when Iniesta retires.
Lionel Messi and the Overall Performance
The little magician once again proved why he is the best player in the world. It was a stunning display which even left the Sevilla player, Vitolo, praising him after the match. It also came when they needed him because the close nature of the match meant that clear chances were rare. Messi obliged with a lovely one touch finish as well as a mazy dribble which he then slotted in to Luis Suárez for an assist. He also nearly scored one of his best ever goals when he somehow managed to avoid three players with amazing ball control, but the finish didn’t match because he fired over the bar. Aside from all this, he was also at his creative best and often dropped deep to get the ball moving. The dual threat of being an expert finisher, and a creative genius was too much for the talented Sevilla team.
The overall performance of the team needs to be noted because they recovered well in a tough atmosphere. Getting the win was important because two losses in a row could easily lead to speculation in the press that the club was in a crisis. It was also a statement that they should still be feared, and that they can win any place, any time. Sevilla aren’t easy opposition either because Barcelona lost at their ground in the league last season. They are also genuine title contenders under Jorge Sampaoli, so this was a fantastic result. Barcelona also managed to do this without key players which makes the result even more remarkable.
Luis Suárez also managed to break his ‘mini goal drought’ which is good news because they need his goals. This will hopefully allow him to regain his usual form because he seems to have been struggling as of late. However, he does have a one game suspension due to picking up five bookings so far this season. The result is also significant because the Madrid derby is after the international break, so if Real don’t win then Barça go top.