The night Sevilla stifled Messi

Sevilla arrived at the Camp Nou in gameweek nine of the 2011/12 season and successfully frustrated Messi to the extent that he will no doubt have been having nightmares about his performance for years to follow.

The visitors were unbeaten so far that campaign and were sitting pretty in fourth in the LaLiga table. Unsurprisingly, Barca hadn't suffered a single defeat either and lead the table from bitter rivals Real Madrid by a single point

The game was perfectly set up to be a blockbuster, but in the end it ended goalless as goalkeeper Javi Varas put in an inspired display between the sticks to deny the likes of David Villa, Andrés Iniesta, Thiago, Xavi and, in particular, Lionel Messi.

The diminutive genius tried everything in his considerable repertoire, but when the solid backline of Federico Fazio, Fernando Navarro (who ended up being sent off), Martín Cáceres and Julien Escudé failed, Varas was there to come to the rescue.

Despite Messi's incredible form against Sevilla, it wasn't meant to be that night, to the point that not even a penalty for the home side would see the deadlock broken.

Iniesta was brought down in the box and the man in the middle, Iturralde González didn´t hesitate in blowing up and pointing to the spot. The Camp Nou fell silent in expectation as Messi took responsibility from 12 yards, only for Varas to dive away to the left to deny the Argentine and secure his side a share of the spoils.

Of course, Messi continues to be Barca's main attraction in a side that won the league and cup double last season, whilst a now 36-year-old Varas is without a club having last turned out for second-tier outfit Granada.

 

February 23, 2013