FC Barcelona maintains its lead in the Spanish league after a 3-2 victory over Sevilla during the 37th date of La Liga championship.
With this triumph, Bara added 96 points and is even closer to being crowned champion for its second consecutive year. During their visit to Sevilla, the Azulgranas knew beforehand that victory was their only option if they wanted to lead the table and prevent Real Madrid from surpassing them. The situation forced a desperate victory.
The Culs imposed themselves at the Sanchez Pizjuan stadium from the first minute. Sevilla (which is in fourth) was a longtime rival and knew how to face its opponents. The team also remained attentive to its upcoming match against Almera, as the players knew that a strong showing against Bara would give them the opportunity to qualify for the UEFA Champions League for a second time.
Focusing on its goal, Josep Guardiola's team pressured its opponents without giving them a chance to advance. The visitors' strategy took effect quickly. Just five minutes in, Lionel Messi scored the first goal of the match for Barcelona. It was a quick and precise play that Andrs Palop, the local goalkeeper, couldn't stop.
After this goal, Barcelona maintained control of the ball. The Rojiblancos looked a bit nervous, unable or unwilling to match their opponents. They were not interested in keeping possession of the ball, simply following in the footsteps of the visitors.Bara had the match in its favor, and Sevilla continued without showing off. Minutes later, the situation for Sevilla became even worse: defender Federico Fazio, who injured his ankle, had to leave the field.
Barcelona took advantage of the absence of Fazio, one of Sevilla's leading players, to pressure more intensely. Sevilla suffered from the absence of its defender; meanwhile Bojan Krkic, Cul forward, took advantage to make the score 2-0 after 28 minutes.
Intimidated by Barcelona's evident superiority, the locals could not react. It wasn't until the 34th minute that they were able to approach Bara's area. There, Diego Capel made an inefficient header attempt towards Victor Valdes, who stopped it without difficulty.
After that, Messi had a chance to score the third goal but failed to do so as his shot went wide. Luis Fabiano, Sevilla striker, was on the verge of scoring the first goal for his team but his weak shot didn't impressed Valds.
Faviano's play closed the first half, which wasn't very favorable for Sevilla.
The second half started with the same tempo. Barcelona completely overshadowed Sevilla's performance. Sevilla's situation was aggravated when French defender Abdoulay Konko was sent off due to yellow cards accumulation. The last of these yellow cards was a foul against Bojan Krkic.
Sevilla simply suffered from comparatively inferior players, and Barcelona showed no mercy in attacking its weak opponents. That's when Pedro Rodrguez, a Bara striker, took the ball in his possession and, almost unthinkingly, went to the rival's area and with an accurate shot put the score 3-0 at minute 62.
Three points ahead, Barcelona players finally slowed the rhythm of their game. Sevilla seized the opportunity, scoring two goals on their carelessness. The time between the two goals was only three minutes.
Abruptly, Barcelona was put on the defensive; suddenly, the locals looked like they could tie the score. But the visiting team recovered quickly, keen on preventing a draw - or worse.
The game ended 3-2, situating Barcelona one precarious point ahead of Real Madrid (94), with whom they have a difference of three goals (+70 against +67). Barcelona's next game will be at home against Valladolid, in the final game of the Spanish League. The team needs this next victory if it is to obtain the title.
Real Madrid trails right behind Bara, forcing the team to redouble its efforts for next game.
iAutoblog the premier autoblogger software
No hay comentarios:
Publicar un comentario