Three takeaways from Barcelona 5-1 Sevilla | La Liga GW10

Barcelona wreaked havoc against Sevilla at Estadi Olimpic de Lluis Companys last night with a 5-1 rout, thus restoring their three-point lead on the league standings.

Braces from Robert Lewandowski and Pablo Torre coupled with a stunning Pedri Golazo gave the Catalans all three points against Garcia Pimienta’s men and ensured that the momentum stays with the Blaugrana.

With Bayern Munich and Real Madrid up ahead on the schedule, it was imperative that Hansi Flick’s men make a positive start to the restart of football and the dressing room could not have asked for a better boost.

After all, they were in imperious form last night and gave Sevilla close to no chances on goal. On that note, Barça Universal brings you three takeaways from Barcelona 5-1 Sevilla.

Playing like there was no pause

Barcelona were fantastic against Sevilla. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Two weeks of international football often affects teams’ performances on the field given the sudden switch in dynamics required for players from country to club.

Barcelona’s football, however, appears to be freely flowing to such an extent that their cohesion on the field is natural. Despite the 14-day hiatus and hectic travel, no player showed any signs of fatigue or lack of coordination.

The Catalans took to the field against Sevilla and dished out a display as if there was no break from club football in the first place. They picked up right where they left off and ensured that they maintained the momentum in some style.

Right from the full-backs who looked rejuvenated on the night and the centre-back pairing of Inigo Martinez and Pau Cubarso who seemingly did not lay a foot wrong.

In midfield, Pedri and Marc Casado took charge, both of whom were stellar in their own roles. While the former once again showed why he is a natural fit in the pivot role, Pedri pushed forward and pulled the string, even scoring a golazo on the night.

The front three continued their red-hot run of form as well. Lamine Yamal toyed with Sevilla’s defence while Raphinha served as the creator-in-chief. 

A big takeaway from the performance in attack was the display of Ansu Fati, who not only started but was impressive with his movements and decisions. While he does have to improve his finishing and agility, his game showed a big step in the right direction.

A brace of braces

Robert Lewandowski got a double against Sevilla. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Barcelona have been ruthless in the final third all season, seldom showing any mercy and going all out to demolish the opposition as clinically as possible.

Last night, they put a stunning five goals past Sevilla and took their tally to 33 goals in just 10 La Liga games. In the process, two players scored braces and kept the limelight.

Robert Lewandowski opened the scoring with a well-worked strike from the spot after Raphinha won the penalty. Not too long later, he was at the right place at the right time to deftly deflect the Brazilian’s long-range volley into the back of the net.

With his latest brace, the Polish star takes his tally in the league to 12 goals in 10 games, double of second-placed Kylian Mbappe and Ayoze Perez who are on six goals apiece.

Pablo Torre was the other player to score a fine brace on the night and make a strong claim to a regular role just when other options seemed to be getting ahead of him.

The youngster made an instant impact after coming on by improving the verticality of Barcelona’s play and fired a low shot from the centre of the box into the bottom left corner in the 82nd minute to make it 4-0.

Six minutes later, he took a free-kick from long range intending to cross the ball. No player got on the end of it and the ball bounced directly into the back of the net as the Sevilla goalkeeper stood dumbfounded.

A night of welcome-backs

Gavi returned to action against Sevilla. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

The biggest talking point of the game against Pimienta’s men, however, was the storyline of players returning from injury. Two players made their comeback on the field last night and there can not be a man happier than Hansi Fliick.

The first player to make his much-awaited return to the field was Fermin Lopez who has been out of action since late August. 

The Olympic Gold medalist looked in good shape in his short cameo, contributing both on and off the ball and with his runs behind the defence.

The big moment, however, came in the 83rd minute when the manager prepared Gavi on the sidelines to make his return to the field after close to a year. 

349 days after his ACL injury, the youngster made his way onto the pitchside with the stadium roaring his name as Pedri made his way off the field.

Sharing an embrace with his teammate, the Canary Islander handed Gavi the captain’s armband in an act of real class and gave him the return to action he so dearly deserved.

The midfield phenom was understandably cautious with his return but it took him just ten seconds to foul a Sevilla player. It is clear that Gavi will be running around the field for the Catalans like his former self in no time.