Sevilla 2-0 Barcelona: Comeback needed

Ernesto Valverde’s men are in need of a comeback

Barcelona have real work to do to continue the defence of their Copa del Rey tie after slipping to a 2-0 defeat at Sevilla in the first leg of their quarter-final.

Ernesto Valverde made plenty of changes for the game. In came Kevin-Prince Boateng for his debut less than 36 hours after signing from Sassuolo.

There were also starts for Carles Alena and Malcom as Valverde left Philippe Coutinho and Luis Suarez on the bench.

FIRST HALF

The first half was fairly entertaining fare from both sides. Wisssam Ben Yedder caused the Barcelona defence a few problems. He fired a great chance wide and then had another effort saved by Jasper Cillessen.

Sevilla also thought they had been awarded a penalty for a handball by Arturo Vidal. There was a bit of confusion until eventually the referee signalled for a corner.

Barcelona didn’t create too much but did have a glorious chance to score. Malcom rounded the goalkeeper but could only find the side-netting.

SECOND HALF

Sevilla came out for the second half looking far more determined and deservedly went ahead just before the hour mark.

Quincy Promes sent a ball into the penalty area and Sarabia was on hand to fire it back across goal and past Cillessen.

Things got even worse for Barcelona on 76 minutes, Ben Yedder doubled Sevilla’s lead as he sneaked in at the far post to knock home Ever Banega’s cross.

Barca had a few chances to pull one back but couldn’t grab an away goal and have it all to do next week at the Camp Nou.

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Sevilla: Soriano; Mercado, Kjaer, Gómez; Navas (Silva), Sarabia (Vazquez), Amadou, Banega, Escudero; Promes, Ben Yedder

Goals: Sarabia (58‘), Ben Yedder (76’)

Barcelona: Cillessen; Roberto, Piqué, Lenglet; Semedo (Alba), Aleñá, Roberto, Arthur, Malcom (Coutinho); Vidal, Prince (Suarez).

Goals: XXX (30’, 32’), Messi (54’)

Source: barcablaugranes.com