Sevilla vs. Barcelona: Barça Aims to Extend LaLiga Lead in Sánchez Reunion
Sevilla’s Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán Stadium hosts a pivotal LaLiga clash Sunday at 16.15 as league-leading Barcelona travels to face Sevilla,missing injured star Lamine Yamal and welcoming back former player Alexis Sánchez to Spanish soil. Barcelona seeks to maintain its undefeated record and solidify its position at the top of the table, while Sevilla aims to break a decade-long league losing streak against the Catalan giants.
The match carries important weight for both sides. Barcelona (19 points) enters the contest confident after five consecutive victories over Sevilla in the regular season, but hampered by a growing injury list. sevilla (10 points, 9th in the standings) is struggling for consistency, having secured only two wins in their last twenty-eight encounters with Barcelona – both in cup competitions – and faces a critical test against a dominant opponent.
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick is expected to make changes to both ends of the pitch. Lewandowski will start as the ‘9’, possibly at the expense of Ferran Torres, while in defense, Araujo and Christensen are slated to replace Cubarsí and Eric García. Barcelona’s probable starting XI includes szczesny; Koundé,Araujo,Christensen,Gerard Martín; Casadó,de Jong; Roony,Olmo,Rashford and Lewandowski.Sevilla will counter with Odysseas Vlachodimos; Azpilicueta, Marcao, Kike Salas; Carmona, Agoumé, Mendy, Suazo; Rubén Vargas, Sow or Alexis Sánchez; and Isaac Romero.
Both teams have injury concerns. Barcelona will be without Ter Stegen, Joan garcía, Fermín, Gavi, Raphinha, and Lamine Yamal. Sevilla will be missing Nianzou and Alfon, though Kike Salas returns to the squad. Jordan and Januzaj are listed as doubts for Sevilla.
Ahead of the match, Sevilla coach Matías Almeyda acknowledged the disparity between the two clubs, stating, “The realities of Barcelona and Sevilla are different.” Flick,meanwhile,emphasized Sevilla’s competitive spirit,noting,”Sevilla is a team that plays with great intensity and aggressiveness.” The match will be officiated by Alejandro Muñiz of the Galician Committee.