- Sevilla handed defending La Liga champions FC Barcelona a heavy 4-1 defeat at Estadio Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan on Sunday
- Barca played the game without Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, German goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen, Joan García, Gavi and Fermín López
Sevilla handed defending La Liga champions FC Barcelona a heavy 4-1 defeat at Estadio Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan on Sunday. Barcelona, who were hoping to reclaim the number one spot from Real Madrid, suffered their worst defeat against The White and Reds since the 4-0 loss in 1951.
Matias Almeyda’s side took the lead inside 13 minutes after former Barcelona man Alexis Sanchez scored from the penalty spot. The 36-year-old veteran, who moved to Seville during the 2025 summer transfer window, sent Wojciech Szczesny, the wrong way to open the scoring in front of home fans.
Isaac Romero doubled Sevilla’s lead in the 37th minute before Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford pulled one back for the visitors with a volley in first half stoppage time.
Robert Lewandowski had a golden chance to level the scores for Barca in the second half from the spot but failed to convert the penalty kick. The visitors were the better side for long periods in the second half but couldn’t capitalize on their chances and were made to pay in the dying minutes of the game when they conceded two goals.
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Jose Angel Carmona and Akor Adams goals in stoppage time sealed Barca’s fate as they suffered a humiliating 4-0 defeat. The Catalans are currently second on the standings with 19 points, two behind leaders Real Madrid. Meanwhile, Sevilla are sixth with 13 points.
Barca have suffered two consecutive defeats across all competitions in one week. The Catalans head coach Hansi Flick has faced criticism for his high line tactic, especially after the midweek defeat against Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League. He played with the same high line in Sevilla on Sunday and appreciated his player’s efforts in the second half as they searched for the equalizer.
“The first half was not good for us. They played one against one against us and they were very aggressive so we had no solution to play out. It was really not good. But in the second half the reaction was good. I appreciate a lot what we did, how we played and it was really good to see.” Hansi Flick told reporters in the news conference after the game, according to ESPN.
Midfielder Pedri echoed the manager’s words saying: “The first half was dreadful. There was no intensity or quality with the ball in the first half.”
Pedri also added that they needed to improve a lot of things as a team to ensure they don’t suffer such a defeat again after the international break.
Barca played Sunday’s match without two of their top players, Lamine Yamal and Raphinha. Yamal is expected to be out of action for two to three weeks due to a recurrence of a groin injury. On the other hand, Raphinha has a right hamstring injury and was substituted during the match against Real Oviedo due to discomfort. He is expected to be out for three weeks.
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Barcelona were also without German goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen, Joan García, Gavi and Fermín López against in Seville. The upcoming international break gives Barca’s injured players enough time to get fit and get ready for club action later this month.
