Barcelona took another step towards a La Liga title defence with a 4-2 win at Sevilla.
The visitors were 2-1 down, but managed to complete a comeback thanks to Lionel Messi. It has to be one of those games where the scoreline does not do any justice to the performance of the better team.
Sevilla were on top – in terms of goals and the performance – for most parts of the fixture, but Messi took the game away from the hosts in the last 20 or so minutes.
The Argentine once again pulled Barcelona from the jaws of defeat and handed them a crucial win at the Ramon Sanchez Pizuan. But how did the other Barcelona players perform? We take a look.
BARCELONA (4-3-3)
Marc-Andre ter Stegen 4: An uncharacteristically dull game from the German. Looked off-colour and conceded possession during the counter which led to Sevilla’s second goal.
Nelson Semedo 5: Dominated by Quincy Promes and Maximilian Wober in defence, no contribution in attack. The Portuguese was rightly taken off at the break.
Gerard Pique 4: After a stretch of tremendous games, Pique had his bad day as he failed to dispatch the Sevilla attack. Was caught sleeping ahead of their second goal.
Samuel Umtiti 5: Not the best return for the Frenchman. Looked lethargic and lost for most parts of the game. Pablo Sarabia had him on his toes for most parts of the first half and the defender was almost always second best.
Jordi Alba 6: Took it on to himself to create chances on the left with Philippe Coutinho absolutely shut down by the Sevilla defence.
Sergio Busquets 6: Maintained the tempo of the goals in intervals and played the part of the lever in midfield. Showed signs of fatigue with his movements, at times.
Arturo Vidal 5: Bang average in midfield, provided some support in defence but eventually taken off at half-time.
Ivan Rakitic 6: Could have been more vertical with his passes. Nevertheless, bagged an assist and was far from the worst player on the pitch.
🎩💥 He's only gone and done it....!!!!— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) February 23, 2019
LEO. LEO. LEO. LEO 🐐 MESSI!!!!
🔵🔴 #SevillaBarça (2-3) pic.twitter.com/UyaYJlUPju
Philippe Coutinho 5: Typically uninspiring display. Failed to provide any threat on the left. Linked up well with Messi, at times but failed to deliver the final product.
Luis Suarez 6: Failed to get his basics right at first. Overestimated his own abilities with his runs and dribbles, still needs to work a lot on his touches. However, he sealed Barcelona’s win with an injury-time goal.
Lionel Messi 9: Was poor with his passes at first, but went on to save Barcelona’s blushes – like he always does – by scoring a hat-trick. Most importantly, got Suarez on the scoresheet as well.
SUBSTITUTES
Sergi Robrto 6: An upgrade over what Semedo provided. The right flank moved well after his introduction and the defensive compromise was not too much.
Ousmane Dembele 5: Was his shabby self and lacked end product. Missed a sitter, but made up by providing the assist for the equaliser.
Carles Alena N/A: Came on for the last 10 minutes, directed the shot on goal which turned into an assist after a deflection.
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