Three things we learned from Barcelona’s win over Sevilla
The champions twice came from behind to win
Messi absolutely loves playing Sevilla
Lionel Messi destroyed Sevilla yet again on Saturday to continue his incredible record against the Andalusians.
He scored a brilliant hat-trick to win the match for Barcelona and also picked up his 11th La Liga assist of the season too.
He’s now got 36 goals in 35 games against Sevilla who must be absolutely sick of the sight of the GOAT.
35 games
— Goal (@goal) February 23, 2019
36 goals
Lionel Messi has scored more goals against Sevilla than he has any other team pic.twitter.com/xGn6jMkAhB
Boss Pablo Machin admitted after the match that Messi seems to really enjoy taking on his team.
“We faced one of the best teams in the world and the best player in the world, who has got our number and seems to have taken a special liking to us,” he said.
The good news for Sevilla is that at least they don’t have to face Messi again this season.
Suarez really needed that goal
It’s no secret that Luis Suarez has struggled recently, but he ended his five-game goal drought after Messi put one on a plate for him in stoppage time.
The Uruguayan has been heavily criticised in the last week or so, but it’s worth remembering that his goal was his 16th in 24 La Liga appearances.
Suarez certainly looked a happier after the match as he posed with Sergio Busquets and Lionel Messi and an ice pack on his knee.
Gran victoria!! #ForçaBarça ⚽⚽⚽⚽ pic.twitter.com/l7nch3vm6Y
— Sergio Busquets (@5sergiob) February 23, 2019
Barcelona really need Suarez to spark back into life, and hopefully his strike against Sevilla means he’s rediscovered his goalscoring touch.
Umtiti is finally back but needs games
Samuel Umtiti was a surprise inclusion in the Barcelona XI as he made his first start since November 24.
There had been reports in the week Umtiti would not be rushed back, and Ernesto Valverde was pretty non-committal in his pre-match press conference about whether he’d start.
Great to have you back @samumtiti !
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) February 24, 2019
#ForçaBarça pic.twitter.com/5lyyP1exhb
There were further reports that Clement Lenglet missed out due to a virus, but he was also a yellow card away from a ban which might have been another factor in his omission.
In any case it was great to see Umtiti back in action after so long out, although he had a tricky afternoon at Sevilla.
Pablo Machin’s side caused problems on the counter, and Umtiti’s lack of games showed at times, perhaps unsurprisingly given the time he’s been out
However, this was a big step forward for the France international, and let’s hope he can stay fit now for the rest of the season.
Source: barcablaugranes.com
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