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3 things we learned: FC Barcelona vs Sevilla 2017/18 La Liga

By Benjamin Barkworth

BARCELONA, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 04: Paco Alcacer of FC Barcelona scores their opening goal during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Sevilla FC at Camp Nou stadium on November 4, 2017 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)
BARCELONA, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 04: Paco Alcacer of FC Barcelona scores their opening goal during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Sevilla FC at Camp Nou stadium on November 4, 2017 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images.
Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images. /

Barcelona weren’t at their clinical best but they still managed to come away with a 2-1 win.

Paco Alcácer takes his chance

The Spanish striker was given a surprise start and he certainly took his chance. He only had a few chances but managed to score twice, which gave Barcelona three key points. For the first goal, his run behind the defence was rewarded as Sergio Escudero couldn’t control the long pass. This left him in a simple 1v1 with the goalkeeper and he promptly finished. His second goal was also due to smart movement because he made a near post run and Ivan Rakitić found him with a pinpoint cross.

Alcácer hasn’t been given many opportunities by Ernesto Valverde, but the few chances he has been given have seen him put in decent performances. There were rumours that Valverde doesn’t trust Alcácer, which were supposed to be the reason why he wasn’t being picked. However, based on recent form he has played significantly better than Luis Suárez.

Starting Alcácer instead of Suárez could be a smart move for the next few games. It would be a reward for the Spanish striker considering he has impressed in the brief chances that he had been given. It also might be the necessary motivation that Suárez needs to pull himself out of his slump. Taking away his guaranteed first-team place would give him chance to reignite that hunger for goalscoring as well as forcing him to focus on the basics.

In terms of direct comparisons between the two strikers, the statistics clearly support the Spanish striker. In the league, Suárez has three goals whereas Alcácer has two but the Uruguayan has played 525 more minutes. Alcácer also scored in the Copa del Rey match against Real Murcia while Suárez is yet to score in four Champions League matches.