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Sevilla took advantage in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey by beating Barcelona 2-0 in the first leg on Wednesday night.
A frustrating first half saw both teams fail to register a single shot on target, as the hosts were particularly frustrated by their fate.
Sevilla ended up out of the deadlock just before the hour, because the intelligent arrival of Pablo Sarabia gave the Rojiblancos a deserved lead. They doubled their lead in the 76th minute, when Wissam Ben Yedder showed up to convert an Ever Banega center that surprised the defense.
The result gives Sevilla a 2-0 lead in the second leg, which will be played at Camp Nou next Wednesday.
Seville
Key discussion point
Sevilla was at the top in the first 45 minutes, but failed with six attempts and no goals. They created luck after luck and spent the majority of half of the game, but they failed to take advantage of it in an annoying first half.
However, they finally achieved their deserved breakthrough in the 58th minute, as their domination and control of the game was rewarded. It was a well deserved victory for the Rojiblancos, who are looking for their first triumph in the Copa del Rey in nine years.
Player ranking
Beginning XI: Soriano (6); Gomez (6), Kjaer (6), Mercado (6); Escudero (6), Banega (7 *), Amadou (6), Navas (6); Sarabia (7); Promes (6), Ben Yedder (7).
substitutes: Vazquez (6), Silva (7)
STAR MAN – Ever Banega played a leading role in midfield pulling the strings in the dominant team Banega was at the heart of every offensive move, getting help in the process as he was helping Sevilla to win a mbadive victory in Andalusia.
Worst player – There was little to blame for a strong Sevilla performance, but Sergi Gomez had moments of uncertainty. The defender got the only booking of the match for a foul, which is frankly the only drawback of his night in a big win.
BARCELONA
Key discussion point
Barcelona was without featured man Lionel Messi, whom Ernesto Valverde chose to leave home. However, as the match unfolded, his absence became more and more evident as the Blaugrana struggled to create goal chances or any opportunities.
Overall, Valverde's players were poor, as they rarely threatened the hosts in a deflated offensive attack. It was a very different performance than the Barca, and they will have to improve considerably when the two teams meet next week if they still have a chance to qualify for the semi-finals.
Player ranking
Beginning XI: Cillessen (6 *); Semedo (6), Lenglet (5), Piqué (6), Roberto (6); Artur (6), Rakitic (5), Vidal (6); Alena (6), Boateng (5), Malcom (6).
substitutes: Suarez (6), Coutinho (6), Alba (N / A).
MAN OF STARS – Barcelona could easily have lost the match in the first half without his goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen. He made a big stop especially in the first half and, although he could not keep a shutout, he kept Sevilla at bay for long periods.
Worst player – In an inefficient exit for Barca, Kevin-Prince Boateng did not have an unforgettable start for the Catalans. Early in the game, he missed a big opportunity when he beat goaltender Juan Soriano in the first half and was missing in an unfortunate start.
Look to the front
Both teams are back in Liga this weekend, before fighting in the return leg at Camp Nou next Wednesday.
Sevilla will host Levante on Saturday afternoon, two points from the relegation zone. Barcelona will face a Catalan derby on Sunday afternoon, while he will be heading to Girona, at mid-table.
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