Three talking points from Barcelona 5-2 Sevilla as Raphinha bags hat-trick in big win

With Actual Madrid having received their fixture on Saturday, a fuller than ordinary Camp Nou – due to the opening of one other space behind the purpose and the membership’s presidential elections – had been anticipating three factors to maintain them at arm’s size from their everlasting rivals.

Having received each league sport performed at dwelling within the 2025/26 season, the strain was all the time going to be on the Andalusians; nonetheless, complacency had been Barca’s enemy prior to now.

Let’s check out three speaking factors from the sport…

Cancelo making issues occur … once more

There’s little doubt that having Joao Cancelo as a left-back isn’t best; nonetheless, the one factor (aside from expertise) that he would seem to have over Alejandro Balde is that when he performs, he makes issues occur.

Sure, he could be a little too gung-ho on events, however he all the time has defenders on the again foot, is blissful to go inside or exterior, and may usually be relied upon to place in a half-decent cross 90% of the time.

His purpose capped a positive particular person efficiency.

Even a fully-fit Balde usually has hassle together with his remaining ball, and can nearly all the time look to go down the skin as a result of he’s so one-footed, making him that rather more predictable.

Cancelo is getting no youthful, in fact, so this explicit answer can certainly solely be momentary.

A captain’s efficiency from Raphinha

I’ve written on this column earlier than about how Raphinha has flourished with the accountability of being handed the captain’s armband.

It seems to raise his performances to the purpose the place he’s really main by instance.

In opposition to Sevilla, he was in his component, and never simply due to the hat-trick.

Hustling, harrying, chasing misplaced causes… his was one other good all-round effort and the kind of displaying that his colleagues ought to aspire to.

Midfield power in depth as Gavi returns

The return of Gavi for a late cameo was clearly a giant plus for the crew and Hansi Flick, although the Blaugranes had dominated the midfield exchanges nicely earlier than his arrival on the pitch.

The business of fellow subs, Fermin Lopez and Marc Casado, stored the opposition at bay for lengthy durations within the second half, while Marc Bernal and Pedri had been quietly efficient, as per.

Dani Olmo additionally produced one in all his higher 90 minutes for the membership, and when the center of the park is on track, Barca are a wholly totally different proposition.

Groups can’t get on the again 4 or reap the benefits of the excessive line, so… extra of the identical please.