Barcelona went into the match without Lionel Messi, who was rested by manager Ernesto Valverde and didn’t even make the travelling squad. Kevin-Prince Boateng took his place up front, and endured a frustrating debut.
The Catalans’ new signing was the only point of interest in an otherwise dull opening half-hour. All eyes were on the 31 year-old, who struggled to affect the game and seemed a yard off the pace compared to his quick-footed Barcelona teammates.
The game sparked to life shortly before half-time, with a flurry of chances coming for both sides. Ben Yedder fired narrowly wide after a sensational solo dribble, before Ivan Rakitic slid a ball through for Malcom, who rounded goalkeeper Soriano but put his effort into the side netting. The game was heating up, and it was a sure sign of things to come in the second period.
Boateng was locked in conversation with Gerard Pique and Arturo Vidal as the sides made their way back onto the pitch for the second half, but it was Sevilla who started the stronger, and it was they who made the breakthrough on 58 minutes. Quincey Promes surged down the left and found Pablo Sarabia at the back post. The Spaniard made no mistake, burying the ball on the half volley.
The home crowd sensed blood, and their team continued to attack. Valverde, shocked at the way the match was turning, made a double substitution, bringing on Luis Suarez and Philippe Coutinho for Malcom and the ineffective Boateng. But the change had little impact, and before Barcelona knew it, they were two goals down.
Ever Banega lashed the ball across goal, and the ball was left by Clement Lenglet, who believed it to be going out for a goalkick. To the Frenchman’s horror, Ben Yedder was lurking at the far post, and the forward made no mistake. From there on Barcelona struggled to force the issue, and Sevilla stayed on the front foot to seal a crucial 2-0 victory.
Whether they can hold onto this advantage at the Camp Nou, where they will undoubtedly face Messi, remains to be seen.