Barcelona face tricky Sevilla
22 Nov 2014 10:37 PM GMT
Barca go into the game in the midst of further confusion after a Lionel Messi interview was interpreted as some as opening the door to a possible departure from the club. The Argentinean’s comments to the respect that a footballer never knows what will happen in the future, varied little from what most footballers reply when asked about their long term plans and team-mate Javier Mascherano said as much when asked about the issue on Thursday.
Nevertheless with Barcelona’s form far from convincing this season, any further uncertainty is not going to help and coach Luis Enrique knows he needs to see an improvement on their last two league displays, a home defeat to Celta Vigo and a 2-1 win away to Almeria, which despite taking all three points, was arguably Barca’s worst display of the campaign. Luis Suarez’s cameo as a second half substitute saved the day in Almeria and he will partner Messi and Neymar in the Barca attack, while Luis Enrique will be looking for more fluidity in midfield.
Former Sevilla player Ivan Rakitic, who joined Barcelona from his former club this summer, is almost certain to start alongside Sergio Busquets and possible, Xavi Hernandez, while doubts remain over who will partner Mascherano in central defence. Sevilla travel to Barcelona in fifth place despite having taken just one point from their last two goals, a 0-1 defeat in Bilbao and a 1-1 draw at home to Levante.
Sevilla have two players on loan from the Catalans with striker Gerard Deulofeu and midfielder Denis Suarez, both looking to impress. Emery’s sides are always well organised and with striker Carlos Bacca in goalscoring form, this could be a game which produces a surprise and if that happens, the shockwaves will reverberate far beyond the walls of the Camp Nou Stadium.
Nevertheless with Barcelona’s form far from convincing this season, any further uncertainty is not going to help and coach Luis Enrique knows he needs to see an improvement on their last two league displays, a home defeat to Celta Vigo and a 2-1 win away to Almeria, which despite taking all three points, was arguably Barca’s worst display of the campaign. Luis Suarez’s cameo as a second half substitute saved the day in Almeria and he will partner Messi and Neymar in the Barca attack, while Luis Enrique will be looking for more fluidity in midfield.
Former Sevilla player Ivan Rakitic, who joined Barcelona from his former club this summer, is almost certain to start alongside Sergio Busquets and possible, Xavi Hernandez, while doubts remain over who will partner Mascherano in central defence. Sevilla travel to Barcelona in fifth place despite having taken just one point from their last two goals, a 0-1 defeat in Bilbao and a 1-1 draw at home to Levante.
Sevilla have two players on loan from the Catalans with striker Gerard Deulofeu and midfielder Denis Suarez, both looking to impress. Emery’s sides are always well organised and with striker Carlos Bacca in goalscoring form, this could be a game which produces a surprise and if that happens, the shockwaves will reverberate far beyond the walls of the Camp Nou Stadium.
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