The illusion of ‘domination’

-By Sagar





Making it count. That’s what it all came down to. Neither of the teams completely dominated the other in every aspect. Although Barca will feel they deserved atleast a point, and it’s true, in a football match, in this world, it doesn’t mean much if you feel you deserved it but couldn’t get it. Last season Valencia, in both the fixtures, would have thought the same but it didn’t matter, Barca got the points and in hindsight those wins were almost the key to winning the Liga. It’s too early to start making conclusions when it comes to this season, but Barca shouldn’t look back at this fixture and regret. Yes, it was Sevilla and it’s never easy, but they were not in form, had injured players, and were at the bottom of the table, looking for a win to jump-start their season. It’s amazing that they used Barca as the springboard for that.



(Barca in blue, Sevilla in orange; Also, ty whoscored!)

Barca dominated Sevilla when it came to creating chances, and that was it. They couldn’t capitalize on those chances. 24 chances, 4 shots onto the woodwork, and 2 goal-line clearances. That might sound like ‘domination’, but many of them were a result of poor finishing, exceptional goalkeeping, and last ditch defending to throw off the striker. They fell short when it came to defensive positioning on the left side, where Mathieu and Alba, though the latter had a good game, were almost negated by the Sevilla attackers for a period of the game.

Sevilla dominated Barca when it came to physicality in the midfield, and pressing the players in the area to make them over-commit and lose the ball. It worked for most part, and they made their chances count. They got two quick-fire goals from two clear-cut chances. But, even Sevilla’s defense, bar the goalkeeper, let Barca dominate them for the majority of the game, and came off with a win only by putting bodies infront of the ball.

Losses, sometimes can be a boon instead of a bane, just ask Barca (Sociedad game last season), but, not when they are crunch matches that may help decide the league in the longer run.



It’s definitely not the time to pick up the torches and pitchforks, and go ‘coach hunting’ all the while chanting the “LuchoOut” slogan. At the same time the Barca team should not sit back and blame it on luck, and call it “one of those days. Ball didn’t want to go in”. That’s why the exorbitant salaries and monies are paid, to make it count. Teams pay millions, just so the ball can roll a few centimeters this side of the goal. That’s the price of a few centimeters.

Barca may be thin as far as team personnel go, but when you have the capability to create so much, they better be clinical, or it might come back to bite them in their….lower posterior.

It’s one thing to take a step back, put your hands up and say “The other team was just way better” (Celta), but to shoot oneself in the foot when there is no external pressure?



Things aren’t bleak (yet), despite many negative records this evening like that of Barca losing 2 games in the first 10 matches in years, but Lucho needs to take a good look at his ‘paper thin’ squad, and figure out how to survive till the protagonists arrive.

The defense needs work. Mathieu has been off form, and it’s time to rotate. Bartra is available and has done more than enough to warrant a start now. Alves may be an enigma going forward, but when he gets there, his crosses to no one in particular lets him down. Rakitic has been cold off late and Lucho needs him to step up when the team needs him the most. Which is now.



Neymar seems to have finally gotten into the grove and it seems like he feels it’s a personal responsibility to be the ‘creative force’ in the absence of Messi and Iniesta. And he did a fine job of being that in this match. He did convert a penalty (Very very harsh in my opinion), and probably should have had a couple of assists if Barca had their shooting boots on.

All in all, It was an entertaining match of football which had grit, desperation, and frustration thrown all over it. It was a deserved loss for Barca, not because the opposition was dominant (Kudos to Sevilla for taking their chances), but because they did not make their chances count.



Entertaining? Yes. Beautiful? No.

It seldom matters as time goes by, because Sevilla might not have won it ‘beautifully’, but they’ll feel that these 3 points might be the ‘key’ to finishing high on the table this season.

Back to ‘tactical discussions’ for Lucho and co, though. The international break will do them good.

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Barca:

Best Player: Neymar (B+): He was at his devastating best, turning inside and out, and showcasing his Brazilian flair. He did well to create space and chances for his team-mates, got in a few shots himself, only to be denied by the brilliant Rico.

Questionable display: Mathieu (C-): For a player with so much experience, he was like a deer in headlights and was left gaping as players breezed past him. Gameiro in particular. His feet seem heavy, and just a tad slow in reacting to the opposition plays. Hopefully he’ll pick it up.

Sevilla:

Best Player: Krohn-Dehli (A): Absolute Menace, the MotM Menace. That’s how Barca’s defense should describe his plays tonight. He scored the opener, and set up the second one with a beautiful pass. He weaved in and out off the ball making clever runs, and was composed when crowded out while in possession. He won’t be forgetting this match anytime soon.

Questionable display: N’zonzi (C): Being just infront of the defense, he offered them no cover as he was easily negated, and his rash ‘pressing’ opened up spaces that had to be covered by some last-ditch efforts by his team-mates in the defense. Luckily for him, Sevillla held on.

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