Sevilla FC's Koundé against FC Barcelona

2-0: THE PERFECT GAME PLAN TO TAKE A TWO-GOAL ADVANTAGE TO THE CAMP NOU

10/02/2021
Sevilla had to be at their resolute best to withstand Barcelona's onslaught and managed to strike twice to bring a two-goal advantage to the Camp Nou in three weeks

Julen Lopetegui's game plan went to perfection. Sevilla FC struck first blood at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán in the Copa del Rey semi-final against an FC Barcelona who made life difficult for the Nervionenses, but they were up against the Sevilla of 2021. A team in simply magnificent form at the back and up front. Koundé struck in the first half before Rakitić beat Ter Stegen with the game coming to an end to bring a two-goal advantage to Barcelona. Bono also deserves a special mention for thwarting Messi on multiple occasions, securing his sixth consecutive clean sheet.

Both teams came out onto the pitch aware that this Cup tie was different to the previous rounds. Nothing would be decided tonight and that could be seen in the measured play of both teams. Neither side wanted to give possession to the other side. Sevilla tried to move the ball quickly to catch Barcelona out of position, while Dembelé was key for the opposition down the right, cutting inside and playing the ball into Messi in the centre. The first chance of the game fell to Barcelona when Griezmann chipped a delightful ball into the Argentine, but Bono had closed the distance well and spread himself to deny Barcelona an opener.

After a strong start, Barcelona saw Sevilla take control of the game

Sevilla responded through an effort from Koundé after Suso cut in from the right and cut it back for the French centre-back. Jules' shot just whistled wide of Ter Stegen's post, missing Rakitić's foot by inches. That would be a warning for the opener that would come six minutes later in another play in which Koundé joined the attack. After winning the ball off a rebound, Koundé nutmegged Umtiti to put himself one-on-one against Ter Stegen and made no mistake this time, firing the ball beyond the German to put Sevilla one-nil up.

The goal was a blow for Barcelona who struggled to create as much danger on Bono's goal as they had done in the opening quarter. And the next big chance of the game would fall to Sevilla. After a good bit of play down the right wing, the ball was switched out to Escudero on the left, who steadied himself before striking a strong shot towards goal which required Ter Stegen to spring and send it out for a corner. The second half started like the first with Barcelona controlling the ball in Sevilla's half. Messi had a chance from the D which Bono parried away. Moments before, En-Nesyri was through on goal following a clever counter-attack, but Umtiti got back well and denied the Moroccan from adding to his tally this season.

Koeman's team controlled the second half but Sevilla would score the decisive goal

Lopetegui refreshed his team halfway through the second half, bringing on Rekik at left-back, Munir on the wing, and De Jong up front. The fresh legs were key for the team in a moment where the game was becoming ever more difficult. Barcelona were full of confidence and Messi was conducting the orchestra. However, he found himself up against an unbeatable Bono and an infallible backline. And even though Barcelona were on the attack, Sevilla had enough counter-attacks to suggest there could be a twist in the plot. The twist would come with five minutes to go, when Óliver Torres spotted Rakitić down the left wing, leaving the Croatian one-on-one against Ter Stegen and he fired the ball high into the net to send Sevilla two goals in front.

The game was not over however, and there was still time for the spotlight to be on Messi when he had a free-kick in a perfect position just outside the area. But Bono was not to be beaten and he sent the vicious strike out for a corner. The referee blew the whistle and Sevilla come away with a hugely important, but not decisive 2-0 win, with the second leg taking place in three weeks. Attentions now turn to La Liga when the team play Huesca, before the huge Champions League clash against Borussia Dortmund.

GAME SUMMARY

2. SEVILLA FC: Bono, Aleix Vidal, Koundé, Diego Carlos, Escudero (Rekik, minuto 69), Fernando, Joan Jordán (Gudelj, minuto 80), Rakitic, Suso (Óliver Torres, 82'), Papu Gómez (Munir, 69') and En-Nesyri (De Jong, 69').

0. FC BARCELONA: Ter Stegen, Junior, Mingueza, Umtiti (Trincao, 90'), Jordi Alba, Busquets, Pedri (Riqui Puig, 84'), De Jong, Griezmann, Dembelé and Messi.

GOALS: 1-0, 25': Koundé; 2-0, 86': Rakitic.

REFEREE: Antonio Mateu Lahoz. Yellows for Jordi Alba, Joan Jordán, Escudero and Aleix Vidal.