Liga: for Xavi’s last, FC Barcelona won in Seville and finished second!

At the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan, the 2023-2024 La Liga season closed with a good showing between FC Barcelona, ​​guaranteed to finish in second place in the championship, and Sevilla FC, fourteenth at kick-off and generally disappointing the latter month. For this 38th day of La Liga and his last match on the Culers bench, Xavi opted for a 4-3-3 where Robert Lewandowski, Fermin Lopez and Lamine Yamal formed the attacking trio. For his part, Enrique Sanchez Flores lined up a 3-4-3 with Youssef En-Nesyri at the forefront. Just behind the Moroccan striker, Lucas Ocampos and Dodi Lukebakio also started. In Sevilla, the Blaugranas were quick to take control of operations and proved dangerous.

Lewandowski leads the way

Found on the left, Pedri overflowed and crossed behind for Yamal but the latter saw his recovery blocked at the last minute (2nd). Master of possession, FCB returned to the charge but Ørjan Nyland pushed back in disaster on a new cross from Koundé (13th). It was only a postponement since in the process, Barça logically opened the score. On a nice curled cross from Cancelo, Lewandowski deflected the leather of a pigeon’s wing and fooled the vigilance of the opposing goalkeeper (0-1, 15th). Suffocated, the Andalusians were unable to escape the Catalan pressure but, despite everything, obtained a first hot situation. Perfectly launched, Lukébakio entered the area before arming a shot from the left, superbly deflected by Ter Stegen (24th).

Until then little worried, the Culers even ended up breaking down. After a nice strike from Soumaré, En-Nesyri was found on the left side of the area and adjusted the Catalan goalkeeper after perfect control behind Martínez’s back (1-1, 31st). Surprised, Barça tried to react and Pedri, served by Lewandowski, was very close to giving his team the advantage but Nyland repelled the Spaniard’s powerful header (35th). A few seconds later, the Barcelona star this time found the crossbar with a shot from the edge of the area (37th). Just before the break, the debates heated up a little more… Shifted to the left side, Cancelo provoked before trying his luck but his shot hit the Andalusian post (44th). On the following action, Juanlu Sánchez crossed towards Lukébakio and the latter’s head in turn found the uprights (45th).

Fermín Lopez as savior

Highly visible during this first act, Lukébakio gave the Culers a new scare but his shot was ultimately too cross (45+1). Returning from the locker room, the Blanquirrojos were once again under pressure from the Blaugrana. On a ball slipped by Pedri, Fermín Lopez came up against Nyland (53rd) but would ultimately give the visitors the advantage again. Found by Gündoğan, the young Catalan nugget unleashed a heavy strike and deceived the Sevillian goalkeeper (1-2, 59th). In the process, Xavi made two changes with the entries of Félix and Torres. The first city did not take long to stand out but his attempt found the gloves of Nyland (64th).

In the last quarter of an hour, the two teams took turns creating chances. If Adrià Pedrosa called on Ter Stegen (73rd), Koundé was completely missed after a delivery from Torres (75th). Having just entered the game, Mariano Díaz also tried to give his team the point of a draw but his shot on target was again deflected by the last Blaugrana rampart (82nd). If Sevilla threw all its strength into the battle in the final moments, Barça held on and offered themselves another victory to finish in style. In the standings, Barça therefore finished this season in second place. For its part, Sevilla FC finished this exercise in 13th place.