FC Barcelona rescues a tie in the Sevilla field but is still far from the podium

Sevilla (2nd), who played the last half hour at a disadvantage due to the expulsion of French defender Jules Koundé, saved a point at home after drawing with Barcelona (7th), thus losing the chance to get closer to the Champions zone.

The Andalusian team went ahead on the scoreboard with a goal from Argentine Alejandro ‘Papu’ Gómez, finishing off a corner kick (32) and Uruguayan center-back Ronald Araújo tied at the edge of the break, heading a cross from the corner (45).

The expulsion of Koundé, for giving Jordi Alba a ball in the face, left Sevilla without resources, who dedicated the last minutes to save at least one point that allows them to place five of the leader Real Madrid (43 by 38).

Barcelona, ​​which had the opportunity to tie on points with Rayo Vallecano (4th), the team that closes the Champions zone for the moment, remains in 7th place, two points behind Rayo’s team.

However, the team led by Xavi Hernández continues to give reasons for optimism: “We have played what we want. The team is growing. We are good in pressure after loss, in high pressure, but we go with a draw (…) We deserved the victory. I am leaving with a bittersweet taste, but the feeling of the team is good ”, declared the Catalan coach after the game.

Xavi, however, insisted that “the worst is the result” and regretted the conceded goal: “We are overtaken by our mistake. They got us. The brand is going away ”.

“We thought about the goal play this morning and it came out perfectly. We saw several videos and that there was a hole in the near post ”, declared ‘Papu’ Gómez about the play of the first goal.

The Argentine midfielder surprised the Barça defense by coming from behind to finish off a corner kick taken by Croatian Ivan Rakitic with a cross shot. (D)