It was a good way for Barcelona to end the year in 2021. They drew 1-1 with second-place Sevilla in their last La Liga game of the year. At one of the hardest stadiums in Spain, Barça played at a very high level, made more chances, and didn’t win. Sevilla was down to 10 men early in the second half.
The first half
We don’t know why Sevilla didn’t look like the team we’ve seen all season after they played Atlético Madrid for 90 minutes last week. They were slow and wasteful with the ball, letting Barcelona dominate the first 25 minutes. But they showed why they’re the best defence in the league.
The Blaugrana were the better team, but they didn’t have many good chances. Ousmane Dembélé’s shot from outside the box was the only goal-scoring chance for the visitors in the first half. We reached the last 15 minutes of the first half, and Sevilla looked alive for the first time. They scored a goal with a good corner-kick move and a good finish by Papu Gómez.
In the first half of the game, Barça did well after going behind. They kept attacking and looking for spaces, but it looked like they would lose. After Dembélé sent in a corner just before the end of the first half, Ronald Araujo flew through the air to head home an important goal.
During the first half of a very competitive game, the score was even, and the second half was going to be a blast.
HALF II
As in the first half, both teams were fighting for space and there was a lot of rough play. It was Sevilla who took the lead and had a few dangerous set pieces, but they didn’t have a real chance to score. Barça looked solid at the back while still trying to attack.
Moments before the game was over, Jules Koundé of Sevilla got in a fight and threw the ball at Jordi Alba’s face right in front of the ref. He was given a straight red. At least 10 men were on the field for the home team. Barça had a real chance to score the winner and win the game.
Sevilla did very well in the first 15 minutes without Koundé. They kept their backs together and didn’t let Barcelona get any space to attack. But the Blaugrana looked more and more dangerous as the game went on. Gavi had a great chance to score from six yards out, but he missed the target.
A beautiful shot by Dembélé went in but somehow the ball didn’t go in. There was one more chance for the visitors to try and score, but Bono saved Luuk De Jong’s shot.
This game of football in Seville was very good. Barça not only got a valuable point, but they also had the right to win against the second best team in the league, away from home. To show so much personality and fighting spirit is a very good sign. Xavi has already made this team better in just 30 days as manager. Barça fans can be proud of their team for the first time in a long time.
