Barcelona has secured a victory against Sevilla in the seventh matchday of La Liga, with Brazilian forward Raphinha scoring a decisive double. The Catalan side initially faced a challenge after Sevilla took an early lead, but quickly rallied to establish their dominance.
Match Report Highlights
The match at the Sánchez Pizjuan saw Barcelona begin with strong attacking intent, with Lamine Yamal hitting the post and Sevilla’s goalkeeper Vlachodimos making key saves to deny an early Barça goal, according to EL PAÍS. Sevilla, however, managed to break the deadlock through Fofana, who headed home a cross from Correia after a well-executed play down the left wing.
Barcelona’s response was swift, with Raphinha equalising just three minutes later. His individual effort saw him cut inside and fire a cross shot past Vlachodimos. The second half saw Raphinha put Barcelona ahead, converting a header after Lamine Yamal collected a rebound and delivered a cross into the area. Lamine Yamal himself came close to scoring early in the second half, with a shot that narrowly grazed the post.
Despite Sevilla’s pressure, which at times neutralised Barcelona’s attack and made it difficult for the visitors to find spaces in the defence, the Catalan giants maintained their lead. Barcelona also suffered a setback when Danish defender Christensen was forced off due to injury, replaced by Gerard Martín. Raphinha nearly completed a hat-trick, attempting an ‘olímpico’ goal directly from a corner, only for the ball to strike the post.
Livakovic Makes Barcelona Debut
Dominik Livakovic made his debut for Barcelona in the match, starting in goal at the Sánchez Pizjuan. Manager Hansi Flick opted for the Croatian goalkeeper following a minor right knee injury sustained by Joan García, who had slipped in a previous match against Racing de Santander. This decision meant Livakovic was chosen over Szczęsny, who had played when Joan García first picked up his injury.
Flick explained his decision, stating, "We analysed everything and thought we had to make a change in goal and we did," as reported by MARCA. Livakovic joined Barcelona from Fenerbahce at the end of August in a deal worth €2 million fixed plus an additional €0.5 million in variables, signing a contract until June 2030. His debut means that all three of Barcelona’s goalkeepers have now featured this campaign.
Hansi Flick’s Extraordinary Start
Under Hansi Flick, Barcelona has embarked on an extraordinary start to the season, extending their winning streak to six consecutive victories in La Liga, complemented by a win in the Champions League. The team has demonstrated significant attacking prowess, scoring 28 goals in just six league matches, often securing wins with substantial margins.
The starting lineup for Barcelona included Livakovic in goal; Eric García, Cubarsí, Christensen, and Cancelo in defence; Pedri, Rodri, and Fermín in midfield; and Gordon, Lamine Yamal, and Raphinha leading the attack. Anthony Gordon, described as the most expensive summer signing, featured for Barcelona. Speaking earlier, Gordon reflected on the club’s demands, noting, "In Barça if you are not intelligent, you are lost." This sentiment highlights the high expectations placed on players at the club, a challenge similar to those faced by other top talents in major European clubs, such as transfer speculations and young stars adapting to new leagues.
FAQ
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Who scored for Barcelona against Sevilla?
Raphinha scored both of Barcelona’s goals against Sevilla.
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Why did Dominik Livakovic make his debut?
Dominik Livakovic made his debut because starting goalkeeper Joan García was sidelined with a minor right knee injury, and manager Hansi Flick opted for Livakovic over Szczęsny.
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What is Barcelona’s current league form under Hansi Flick?
Under Hansi Flick, Barcelona has an extraordinary start to the season, with six consecutive victories in La Liga and a total of 28 goals scored in just six league matches.