Defending champion and current La Liga leader Barcelona stumbled at Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium, Seville, when they ended up with a 0-0 draw against third placed holder in La Liga Sevilla. After the draw, Sevilla is trailing by 13 points from La Liga leader Barcelona.
There were several changes in Barcelona squad from last match. It was good that Quique Setien is trying different combination, but Barcelona today looked uninspired and deeply frustrated by Sevilla’s defence.
Sevilla had a strategy to sit deep, with five at the back, and it was enough to choke the Barcelona attack as they failed to create many clear-cut chances.
Lionel Messi’s unlucky, when his free-kick hit the bar in the first half, and denied the Argentinian 700th goal for club and Country in all competition. But the magician was lucky enough to escape a yellow card when he pushed Diego Carlos. The big defender faked a simulated fall due to the push, which led to small brawl between two teams. It ended up with Busquets getting booked, whereas referee let Messi and Carlos both go without booking.
Sevilla had their share of chances, when Lucas Ocampos hit the crossbar once and forces Ter Stegen from close range. Ter Stegen also blocked Munir El Haddadi attempt in the first half.
Sergio Reguilon had a great chance to score for Sevilla in stoppage time when the ball fell kindly for him in an unmarked position in the box but he hit it straight at Ter Stegen.
Real Madrid defender Sergio Reguilon missed the golden chance of the game during injury time when he hit it straight at Ter Stegen.
Barcelona forward Antoine Griezmann and Puig came from bench, whereas Ansu Fati was not used.
The second-placed team Real Madrid have a chance to level when they play against Real Sociedad on Sunday.
Sevilla
1-Vaclik, 16Navas, 12-Koundé, 20-Diego Carlos, 23-Reguilón <Booked at 26>, 24-Jordán (Gudeljat 69′), 25-Reges <Booked at 45>, 21-Torres (Banega 45′, <Booked at 62>), 5-Ocampos (Vázquezat 84′), 19-de Jong (En-Nesyriat 69′), 11-El Haddadi (Fernández Saez 59′)
Substitutes
3-Gómez, 7-Rony Lopes, 10-Banega, 13-Bono, 14-Fernández Saez, 15-En-Nesyri, 17-Gudelj, 18-Escudero, 22-Vázquez, 26-Mena, 36-Rodríguez, 40-Pérez Rico
Barcelona
1-ter Stegen, 2-Nélson Semedo, 3-Piqué <Booked at 39>, 15-Lenglet, 18-Alba, 22-Vidal (Griezmannat 77′), 5-Busquets <Booked at 45>, 4-Rakitic (Puigat 88′), 19-Braithwaite (Arthurat 63′), 10-Messi, 9-Suárez
Substitutes
8-Arthur, 13-Murara Neto, 17-Griezmann, 24-Firpo, 26-Peña, 28-Puig, 30-Collado, 31-Fati, 33-Araújo, 38-Delgado Saverio, 40-Brandáriz, 42-Rodríguez Jiménez