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| Messi celebrates goal against Sevilla |
It was a win or burst encounter for Barça as they visited Sevilla at the Sánchez Pizjuán on Sunday night knowing a loss will keep them 5 points behind leaders Real Madrid. But the Catalans kept their cool after a poor first half performance to get all three points, thanks to another masterful performance from talisman Lionel Messi.
The Argentine starlet levelled for Barça in the first half after Vitolo put the hosts in front after 15 minutes and then set up another for Luis Suárez in the second half as Barça ran out 2-1 winners in a tough away game, keeping up their pursuit of Real Madrid at the top. Here's how the players fared in the game.
SEVILLA 1-2 BARÇA PLAYER RATINGS
MARC ANDRE TER STEGEN – 6.0
Didn't do anything special.. nearly fumbled with a cross but was lucky Steve Nzonzi could only head the chance wide. Passing wasn't at its best too but had some crucial ones that helped cool down Sevilla's pressure.
Didn't do anything special.. nearly fumbled with a cross but was lucky Steve Nzonzi could only head the chance wide. Passing wasn't at its best too but had some crucial ones that helped cool down Sevilla's pressure.
SERGI ROBERTO – 5.0
Horrible and made a mistake that led to a goal for the second game running. Should've intercepted Sarabia's pass for Vitolo but failed to and allowed the Spaniard space to score. Has been great so far this season but doesn't seem to know how to defend against teams with quality attackers. Grew into the game in the second half though.
Horrible and made a mistake that led to a goal for the second game running. Should've intercepted Sarabia's pass for Vitolo but failed to and allowed the Spaniard space to score. Has been great so far this season but doesn't seem to know how to defend against teams with quality attackers. Grew into the game in the second half though.
JAVIER MASCHERANO – 8.0
Leader at the back.. he was so great and is having a very good run of form. His second half performance was the return of Masche in his prime as he did everything right and his surreal last ditch tackle/block saved Barça from conceding an equaliser. Great performance.
Leader at the back.. he was so great and is having a very good run of form. His second half performance was the return of Masche in his prime as he did everything right and his surreal last ditch tackle/block saved Barça from conceding an equaliser. Great performance.
SAMUEL UMTITI – 7.5
Another superb game for the defender who has shown to be the club's best signing of the summer. Everything ended when the ball got to his side. His passing was also great and this lad will go placed manning the Blaugrana shirt. Just so good.
Another superb game for the defender who has shown to be the club's best signing of the summer. Everything ended when the ball got to his side. His passing was also great and this lad will go placed manning the Blaugrana shirt. Just so good.
LUCAS DIGNE – 6.5
Was not good in the first half as he struggled to get in the game but upped his game in the second half and ended up having a good overall performance. Contained Mariano well and Sevilla didn't use his side to pounce.
Was not good in the first half as he struggled to get in the game but upped his game in the second half and ended up having a good overall performance. Contained Mariano well and Sevilla didn't use his side to pounce.
IVÁN RAKITIC – 6.0
Didn't do well attacking wise but worked veey hard as always and minimised Sevilla's threat on occasions. Was subbed off for André Gomes with around 20 minutes left to play.
Didn't do well attacking wise but worked veey hard as always and minimised Sevilla's threat on occasions. Was subbed off for André Gomes with around 20 minutes left to play.
SERGIO BUSQUETS – 6.0
Off form.. another average game overall. Sampaoli's capitalised on his form and clustered him on occasions, nullifying him in the first half but then he grew in the second and did quite well.
Off form.. another average game overall. Sampaoli's capitalised on his form and clustered him on occasions, nullifying him in the first half but then he grew in the second and did quite well.
DENIS SUAREZ – 7.5
Stood for the injured Iniesta and did absolutely well. His second half display was out of this world and he controlled the midfield in beautiful fashion. Started the attack that led to Messi's goal. A good game.
Stood for the injured Iniesta and did absolutely well. His second half display was out of this world and he controlled the midfield in beautiful fashion. Started the attack that led to Messi's goal. A good game.
LIONEL MESSI – 9.0
Lad decided to win the game.. he knew Barça couldn't afford to lose and he singlehandedly gave us the win. Scored the equaliser just before halftime.. came close twice to adding to his tally and finally set up Suárez for the winner. Dazzling! Best ever!!
Lad decided to win the game.. he knew Barça couldn't afford to lose and he singlehandedly gave us the win. Scored the equaliser just before halftime.. came close twice to adding to his tally and finally set up Suárez for the winner. Dazzling! Best ever!!
LUIS SUAREZ – 6.5
Found it hard to get into the game despite working very hard and had a poor performance in the first half, should've scored but didn't, however, he gave Barça the winner courtesy of a fine finish from the right. Missed another chance set up by Messi. He's clearly off form. Picked up his 5th yellow card of the season and will miss the game against Malaga in two weeks.
Found it hard to get into the game despite working very hard and had a poor performance in the first half, should've scored but didn't, however, he gave Barça the winner courtesy of a fine finish from the right. Missed another chance set up by Messi. He's clearly off form. Picked up his 5th yellow card of the season and will miss the game against Malaga in two weeks.
NEYMAR – 7.5
Mixed game from the forward.. looked confused at times and lost possessions that gave Sevilla a chance to counter on more than one occasions.. improved highly in the second, terrorised the Sevilla back line but also missed a clear chance.. at a comic moment when he forgot the ball and dribbled himself.. set up Messi's equaliser.. one funny performance.
Mixed game from the forward.. looked confused at times and lost possessions that gave Sevilla a chance to counter on more than one occasions.. improved highly in the second, terrorised the Sevilla back line but also missed a clear chance.. at a comic moment when he forgot the ball and dribbled himself.. set up Messi's equaliser.. one funny performance.
SUBSTITUTES…
ANDRÉ GOMES – 5.5
Came on for Rakitic with 20 minutes to play and added control to Barça's midfield. Still didn't do much.
Came on for Rakitic with 20 minutes to play and added control to Barça's midfield. Still didn't do much.
RAFINHA – N/A
Played the final 4 minutes, had only one touch. Unfair to rate him as he could do nothing.
Played the final 4 minutes, had only one touch. Unfair to rate him as he could do nothing.
LUIS ENRIQUE – 5.5
Got a 5.5 probably because of his halftime team talk, unacceptable approach to the game in the first half and was saved by Messi.. sad to say.
Got a 5.5 probably because of his halftime team talk, unacceptable approach to the game in the first half and was saved by Messi.. sad to say.
TEAM: 6.0
Was dominated in the first half, Messi's goal changed the game, and Messi made others play better in the second half hence a good second half performance covered our blushes..
Was dominated in the first half, Messi's goal changed the game, and Messi made others play better in the second half hence a good second half performance covered our blushes..
