Match reports

1-2: A DIFFERENT SCRIPT FROM THE COPA DEL REY BUT THE SAME UNFORTUNATE OUTCOME

13/08/2018

Another final against FC Barcelona escapes Sevilla FC. Though the Nervionenses would go ahead through Sarabia, there was a lot of football to be played and a 41st minute equaliser from Piqué would rob Sevilla of a half-time advantage. A wonderful strike from Dembélé would be enough to see FC Barcelona through

Sevilla FC fell to defeat this Sunday in Tangier in the Spanish Super Cup, in a match nothing like the Copa del Rey Final but a match with the same outcome come the end of the night. Though Sarabia would break the deadlock early, Barcelona responded effectively to equalise before half-time. In a tight second-half, a wonder strike from Dembélé would give Vaclík no chance and would give Barcelona the decisive goal. A last minute penalty save from Ter Stegen denied Sevilla a chance at extra-time.

Knowing full well that Barcelona would come out wanting to dominate the ball, Pablo Machín was clear in is tactics in not entering the battle for possession and set Sevilla up deep, looking to counter with pace when the ball was won. His plan worked wonders early, with the first real chance of the game falling Sevilla’s way. A good tackle from Muriel set up a speedy break. With Sarabia to his right, Muriel slipped the ball through the Barcelona back-line to find the winger in space. With a clear sight at goal, Sarabia made no mistake when curling with his left past the keeper. After a quick VAR check, Sevilla had their lead confirmed inside 10 minutes.

Machín's plan worked wonders early, with the first real chance of the game falling Sevilla’s way

A fantastic start, and Machín’s side seemed determined to stick to a gameplan that was working well. Though Barcelona did pepper the Sevilla area, they would fail to create clear-cut chances immediately following the goal. Lenglet would come closest 26 minutes in, after a header from a Messi free-kick floated just over the bar. Suárez would go close next for the Culés, dragging just wide of Vaclík’s post when finding space in Sevilla’s box. Just as it looked as though the Nervionenses would keep their lead until half-time, a Messi free-kick on 41 minutes would change that. Firing to Vaclík’s left, the Argentinian’s effort would knock against the post. Unfortunately for Sevilla, the rebound would fall to an onrushing Piqué, who stabbed home to give Barcelona an equaliser. Sevilla looked to respond quickly – with a clear chance for Sarabia after good build-up play from Muriel – but Ter Stegen’s reflexes would prove too quick for the winger.

In the second-half Sevilla would see more of the ball. Though Barcelona would continue to threaten through a front-line of Suárez, Messi and Dembélé, Sevilla’s centre-back combo of Mercado, Kjaer and Sergi Gómez would keep them at bay well. Looking for an impact from the bench, Machín would hand a debut to new signing André Silva, who came on to play half an hour when replacing an on-form Muriel. Promising touches would lead to chances. Vázquez would be the closest to a second goal, hitting the bar on the hour mark when glancing Banega’s corner across Ter Stegen’s goal. Barcelona would respond in kind – this time, Dembélé forcing a smart save out of a very quick and confident Vaclík. Vázquez would respond with another effort: this time dragging wide with his left foot when set up by Éver Banega.

A wonderful strike from Dembélé would make the decisive difference

As the minutes ticked on, Barcelona started to tire and Sevilla looked to take advantage. With just under quarter of an hour to go, Navas would fire a half-volley at Ter Stegen’s net – though the keeper would show safe hands to deny him. It was going to take something special to break the stalemate and unluckily for the Nervionenses, that something special would come from Dembélé – who with just under 12 minutes to go, fired home powerfully to give Vaclík no chance and to give Barcelona a decisive lead. A golden chance to equalise would be missed in stoppage time – Wissam Ben Yedder failing to find the net from a late penalty won by substitute Aleix Vidal.

An unlucky end following a promising performance from Sevilla. Machín’s men will now turn their attention to this Thursday and the second-leg of a Q3 Europa League tie with Zalgiris. The Nervionenses take a slender one-goal lead to Lithuania and will need all their wits to kill a tricky European tie.

MATCH SUMMARY

1. SEVILLA FC: Vaclík; Mercado (Ben Yedder, 85), Kjaer, Sergi Gómez; Jesús Navas, Escudero; Roque Mesa, Banega; Sarabia (Aleix Vidal, 70), Franco Vázquez y Muriel (André Silva, 60).

2. FC BARCELONA: Ter Stegen; Semedo, Piqué, Lenglet, Jordi Alba; Rafinha (Rakitic, 46), Busquets, Arthur (Coutinho, 53); Messi, Luis Suárez y Dembelé (Arturo Vidal, 86).

GOALS: 1-0, minute 8: Sarabia. 1-1, minute 41: Piqué. 1-2, minute 78: Dembelé.