All Bar�a�s football

Match

Marcador del partit

Date: Saturday, 08 May
Competition: ???label.competicio0???
Stadium: Ram�n S�nchez Pizju�n, Sevilla

Resultat:

Sevilla FC: 2
FC Barcelona: 3

Match report

Match Report
Pre-Match

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The goals

0-1, Messi (min 5)
0-2, Bojan (min 28)
0-3, Pedro (min 61)
1-3, Kanout� (min 69)
2-3, Luis Fabiano (min 71)

Massive step towards title (2-3)

Roger Boguny�

Barca took a massive step to taking the league title with a 2-3 win over Seville in the Sanchez Pijuan tonight. With Madrid also winning their game, it will all come down to next week�s final games when Barca host Valladolid.

First half goals from Messi and Bojan set up the result and when Pedro made it three on the hour, the job seemed to have been done, especially since Seville were down to 10 men after Konko was sent off for the hosts on 56 minutes. But then Seville, who’d been completely outplayed until then hit back with two quick goals from Kanoute and Fabiano and the game, and the title race, was back on again.

There were a few jitters as the game entered into the last 20 minutes, but both Pedro and Bojan could have sealed the game before the ref finally blew up and the players celebrated what could be a vital three points.

Messi opens the scoring

Barca made a spectacular start to the game and with Xavi pulling all the strings the team whizzed the ball around the Sanchez Pijuan and seemed to mesmerize Seville. The hosts found themselves one down after just five minutes when Messi was put through by Maxwell for yet another goal that should guarantee the Golden Boot and the Spanish Leading Goalscorer Award.

Dazzling display

Alves, Xavi and Messi were dazzling the home team and the 600 Barca fans on the ground were lapping it up as Bojan and Pedro joined in to give an exhibition of brilliant football that had Seville – lying fourth in the league before tonight’s game – reduced to running after shadows. When Xavi invented one of his trademark passes, Bojan was on hand to fire home and make it 0-2 at the break.

Pedro makes it 0-3

After Messi had missed a good chance to make it three, Bojan forced Konko into a foul that earned him his second yellow and Seville were down to 10 men and two minutes later, Pedro did make it three lashing in a shot from the edge of the box. The chances just kept coming and Bojan missed a sitter after Messi had crossed from the right. Surely, those misses wouldn’t matter?

Seville hit back

Then almost immediately after Bojan’s miss, Kanoute slipped past Puyol to peg one back and two minutes later, Luis Fabiano grabbed a second. Barca held firm though and although the fourth goal didn’t come, they kept making chances and the only negative note was Xavi’s yellow, which means he’ll miss next week’s game against Valladolid. Nothing could dampen the joy of the players at the end of the game though as they celebrated three more points on the road to the title.

Preview

Goalscorers to watch

Lionel Messi was hailed by Pep Guardiola in the build-up and he will be the player that Bar�a have to stop on Saturday, while the visitors will need to keep an eye on Brazilian forward Luis Fabiano as he has already netted 14 goals in 22 league games this term.

Decisive encounter with Sevilla

Lucas Brown

FC Barcelona travel south to take on Sevilla (21 h, R@dio Bar�a) for a game that many believe could decide the destination of the league title.

With the Blaugrana left with just one home game after the trip to the Ram�n S�nchez Pizju�n both Pep Guardiola and Real Madrid boss Manuel Pellegrini have stated that this round of matches could see the championship race come to a close. Sevilla will have plenty to say, however, as they require a win to ensure that they can play in the Champions League next season by finishing in a top four place.

Bar�a are also looking to end the season with a record-equalling 13 away wins in la Primera. Last term Guardiola’s outfit set that amount, a record since the top flight included 20 teams, and victory this weekend would see the current side equal it.

Ins and outs

For the trip to Andalucia Guardiola has called upon the services of every first-team player along with young Thiago Alc�ntara as well as the injured Andr�s Iniesta. With the title at stake the Blaugrana boss does not want anyone to miss out should there be a celebration after the game. Gerard Piqu� is set to undergo a late fitness test after being unable to be given the all clear on Friday as he battles to shake off a leg injury sustained against Tenerife in midweek. The only change in the Sevilla ranks is that Luis Fabiano returns after overcoming an ankle injury and he replaces youth team starlet Rodri in the squad.

Previous meetings

Recent meetings between Sevilla and Bar�a in the Ram�n S�nchez Pizju�n have been even with both the home team and the away side winning five games each out of the last ten. Last season two goals from Lionel Messi and another from Samuel Eto’o saw Bar�a win 0-3. Earlier this term the Blaugrana also record victory in Andalucia with a 0-1 triumph in the Copa del Rey. Overall Sevilla have the better record with 29 wins to Bar�a 18 while 18 draws have been played out.

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