The League said goodbye with a forced goodbye in Nervión due to the inconsequentiality of the match and the departure of two coaches who have been left helpless due to the instability of their teams and the tension of two clubs as volcanic as Sevilla and Barça. The hug of consolation that Quique Sánchez Flores and Xavi Hernández gave each other contrasted with the anger of a large and noisy fan against the board formed in the Pizjuán box. The field was not even full in a relaxed day that ended up being fun and endearing due to a victorious goal from Fermín dedicated to Xavi.
1
Ørjan Haskjold Nyland, Kike Salas, Loic Bade (Gudelj, min. 79), Sergio Ramos, Boubakary Soumare, Adrià Pedrosa, Lucien Agoume (Manu Bueno, min. 79), Juanlu Sanchez, Lucas Ocampos, Lukebakio (Mariano, min. 78 ) and En-Nesyri (Alejo Véliz, min. 89)
2
Ter Stegen, Pau Cubarsí, Íñigo Martínez, Cancelo (Hector Fort, min. 83), Koundé, Gündogan, A. Christensen (Oriol Romeu, min. 45), Pedri, Fermín López, Lamine Yamal and Lewandowski (Ferrán Torres, min. 62)
Goals 0-1 min. 15: Lewandowski. 1-1 min. 30: En-Nesyri. 1-2 min. 59: Fermin Lopez.
Referee Javier Iglesias Villanueva
Yellow cards Kike Salas (min. 35), Cancelo (min. 49) and Lucas Ocampos (min. 92)
Sadness was combined with bad mood in Seville while Laporta enjoyed the reception offered to the European champions in Barcelona at Plaça Sant Jaume. It was not the best environment for Sánchez Flores’ footballers. The match was thus at the mercy of Barça, who already won after a quarter of an hour with a goal from Lewandowski after a left-footed cross from Cancelo. The Blaugrana played easily and well, motivated by their midfielders, especially Pedri, more encouraged after his two goals against Rayo.
The Tenerife native started in a line-up very typical of Xavi. The coach opted for the youth players, also with Christensen as a center midfielder and without João Félix, Araujo or Raphinha. Sevilla allowed themselves to be done, without competitive nerve, expectant in any case with the weaknesses of Barcelona’s defense. The Blaugrana are a permeable team and the opponents have found the back of the centre-backs Iñigo Martínez and Pau Cubarsí. En-Nesyri soon equalized with a shot that slipped between Ter Stegen’s legs after a pass filtered by Soumaré.
The match opened at 1-1 and opportunities arose in both goals, especially in Nyland’s. Although the Blaugrana arrived more easily, unlucky in the shot and fighting with the woodwork, the Sevillistas responded with quick transitions that compromised Ter Stegen. There was no control of the game, losses followed one another and joy prevailed on the field without Christensen’s presence having any weight in Barça’s core. Xavi replaced the Dane at half-time with Oriol Romeu.
Even though the revolutions dropped, Barcelona’s insiders continued to reach finishing positions while Koundé and Cancelo continued to make concessions. Fermín’s perseverance, generous in his effort and in his shot, was rewarded with a low and tight shot from outside the area that Nyland did not reach. The Andalusian, always grateful, celebrated the goal with a warm hug to Xavi. Fermín is today a player who aspires to international status after being discovered in the preseason by the until now Barça coach.
Fermín scored his 11th goal and Lewandowski was substituted again after it emerged that Xavi preferred not to count on the Poland international striker for next year. The wheel of changes turned in favor of Sevilla. The fans went from shouting to singing, from scolding their board to applauding their players, and the ball was once again pointed at Ter Stegen. The goalkeeper, who aspired to Zamora until he fell to Unai Simón’s side, was more accurate than Vitor Roque and João Félix. The best striker was in any case En-Nesyri.
The Moroccan, however, failed to score the second goal in his farewell to Sevilla and Barcelona took a victory signed by Fermín in Xavi’s last game.
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