Three talking points as Barcelona secure 5-2 win over Sevilla in La Liga

FC Barcelona knew that they’d a difficult La Liga encounter at residence towards Sevilla. Extra than simply successful the sport, the Catalan membership had different issues on their thoughts, together with resting some key starters forward of the Newcastle United sport, protecting the strain on Actual Madrid, getting revenge for the 4-1 loss earlier this season, all whereas ensuring they didn’t get distracted by the presidential elections.

That’s a variety of demons to be preventing on completely different fronts on the similar time. Even essentially the most optimistic of Barcelona followers wouldn’t have seen final night time’s efficiency coming. Flick’s staff secured an necessary 5-1 victorywith Raphinha netting a hat-trick and Joao Cancelo and Dani Olmo additionally on the scoresheet.

With all this in thoughts, listed below are three speaking factors for Barcelona from their spectacular 5-2 win over Sevilla in La Liga at Spotify Camp Nou.

1: Xavi Espart’s spectacular full Barcelona debut

La Masia has this uncanny potential to step up every time the primary staff has a disaster. Proper now, Hansi Flick has a full-back disaster, with each Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde out injured, and, as dependable as ever, the academy has supplied an answer.

Xavi Espart has been within the matchday squads for a few gameweeks now and even made his debut for the membership towards Newcastle United at St James’ Park earlier this week. Towards Sevilla, he obtained his first begin for the senior staff.

It’s secure to say that the 18-year-old defender didn’t disappoint. He seemed snug at right-back, each with and with out the ball, mixed nicely with Roony Bardghji, and made the proper choice as a rule.

Sure, he could have switched off a bit for Sevilla’s first objective of the night time, however that’s only a minor blip in an in any other case spectacular show. It’s the form of efficiency that reveals everybody that Xavi belongs at this stage, and allow us to hope he turns into a mainstay within the first staff within the months to return.

2: Joao Cancelo is at a distinct stage

Barcelona followers had been cautiously excited when it was introduced again in January that Joao Cancelo could be returning to the membership from Al Hilal. The Portuguese full-back has spent the final season and a half away from Europe.

Everybody knew what Cancelo delivered to the desk, and what he didn’t. Defensively, there have at all times been query marks about his potential to deal with tough wingers. In possession, nevertheless, there isn’t any want for any introduction to his high quality.

Cancelo has shocked everybody with the extent at which he has hit the bottom operating. He appears to be in unbelievable bodily form, impressing as at all times going ahead, however what has been much more shocking is his defensive acumen.

The Portuguese worldwide has proven a superb understanding of holding the excessive line and has not seemed ragged defensively. Each time the chance has introduced itself, he has defended one-on-one very nicely, particularly within the Newcastle sport.

3: Marc Bernal continues to impress

These previous few weeks have been game-changing from Marc Bernal’s perspective. It took him months to return again from his ACL harm and return to prime type, however the Spaniard has made essentially the most of Pedri’s and, subsequently, Frenkie de Jong’s accidents.

Final night time, towards Sevilla, {the teenager} confirmed wonderful positional consciousness. As at all times, Sevilla arrange in a man-to-man vogue, and Bernal’s fixed motion, in sync with the remainder of his teammates, created a variety of alternatives.

The Spaniard was sensible within the lead-up to Dani Olmo’s objective. He supplied the help for his senior compatriot after occupying an area brilliantly created by Robert Lewandowski. Most of the time, his last ball doesn’t disappoint.

Though Bernal could have struggled a bit towards Newcastle United in midweek, he bounced again in type. He will probably be hoping to ship one other spectacular show towards the Magpies later this week, and we should wait and see how issues play out.