Barcelona drew 1-1 with Sevilla at Camp Nou on Sunday as the 100 percent start to the new La Liga season ended.
Luuk de Jong gave Sevilla the lead in the eighth minute but Barca were tied two minutes later when Philippe Coutinho scored his first goal of the season.
Sevilla almost won it when Barca defender Ronald Araujo hit his own crossbar, while Francisco Trincao missed a late chance for the home team before Lionel Messi declined a penalty.
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positive
The 21-year-old Araujo came on for the suspended Clement Lenglet and was Barca’s best player that night. The defender, who received his first international appearance for Uruguay this week, showed that he is more than ready to play at that level if necessary.
Negatives
After Ronald Koemans Barca started the season with two wins and two goals against, he conceded a goal and lost points for the first time since the Dutchman’s appointment – albeit against a very good side from Seville.
The analysis for the first international break should be positive overall, but the Sevilla draw showed that there is still much to be done. Barca looked a bit toothless in attack and a bit tired on the ball.
Manager rating of 10
6 – Koeman made bold changes, bringing in the teenagers Pedri and Trincao, but didn’t change a formation that obviously wasn’t working. He also sent a message to the club saying he still wants a new striker by not hiring Martin Braithwaite and not even letting Ousmane Dembele warm up. The Frenchman’s exit is key to raising funds to sign the number 9 before Monday.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes are not rated)
GK Net, 6 – I got a hand on De Jong’s target, but it was hit with real force. Didn’t look good on the ball and almost passed out from behind by former teammate Ivan Rakitic.
DF Sergi Roberto, 5 – Again not active enough in attack. Has made some good runs but was not selected and when selected he was ineffective with the ball.
DF Ronald Araujo, 8 – An insured performance in a difficult game. It has been shown that it can be relied on when Lenglet or Pique are not available.
DF Gerard Pique, 7 – Remained calm under heavy pressure from Seville and held up well against the De Jong threat.
DF Jordi Alba, 6 – A good run to the left contributed to Coutinho’s goal. Was up and down the left until he was sent off with an injury in the second half.
MF Sergio Busquets, 6 – Started the season slowly, but took on Sevilla at times. This was his best performance since Koeman’s appointment, but he was very tired after three games in a week.
MF Frenkie de Jong, 6 – After a good start to the campaign, took a few steps back. Has given the ball away in dangerous areas.
FW Antoine Griezmann, 5 – His touch failed him again and again when the ball was presented to him in good positions. Lifted off after an hour.
FW Philippe Coutino, 7 – He scored a good goal as he continued to demonstrate his importance in Barca’s attack after his return from Bayern Munich.
FW Ansu Fati, 6 – The star of the show against Villarreal and Celta Vigo had a quieter evening here. Worked a couple of openings but couldn’t really bother the goalkeeper.
FW Lionel Messi, 6 – Barca’s greatest threat brought a shot out in the first half after scoring a nice pass leading up to Coutinho’s goal. Appeal for a late sentence, but VAR said no.
Substitutions
FW Pedri, 5 – A couple of nice runs but unable to sway the game. Still only 17.
FW Francisco Trincao, 6 – Improved Barca’s threat on the right that didn’t exist until his move but missed a good chance to take the points.
MF Miralem Pjanic, N / R – Was late but looked good on the ball.
DF Sergino Dest, N / R – The US international replaced Alba on his Barca debut as a left-back. Created a chance for Messi that the Argentine barely hissed.
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