Barça vs Sevilla: Matchday five and Koeman’s first big test

Following two very promising wins, it will be the first big clash of the season for Barça: Sevilla. For Koeman, it will be his first big test. For Sevilla, it will be an occasion to try to make things tough for Barcelona; Without Lopetegui, travelling to the Camp Nou will be no easy task. Barcelona will look to continue their good form, despite Lenglet’s absence following his suspension. Rakitic will meet his former teammates, too.

Last 3 Barça matches: WWW

Barça-Elche: 1-0

Barça-Villarreal: 4-0 

Celta Vigo-Barça: 3-0

Barça come off confident against Sevilla, having won whilst playing eye-pleasing football against Villarreal at home and Vigo away. But not too confident, as it’s Koeman’s first real test. Sevilla are no joke and have a very strong term despite several departures. But at the Camp Nou, it’s usually hard for other teams to knock Barcelona off their pedestal. If Barça manage to win the fixture while playing “good” football, the players will get the confidence needed in a tough month of October.. The one that will be needed to face Getafe, Madrid and Juventus in barely one month. 

Last 3 Sevilla matches: LWW

Bayern München-Sevilla: 2-1

Cadiz-Sevilla: 1-3

Sevilla-Levante: 1-0

On the other side, Sevilla. Arguably amongst the most in-form teams in Spain, Sevilla will seek to trouble the hosts at the Camp Nou. Without Lopetegui, however, it will be quite a difficult task. Lopetegui or no Lopetegui, the collective is a strong one. A kind reminder that they were the closest to knock Bayern off their perch, to only finally lose 2-1; An achievement! They will be a good preparation and earning more than a three goal lead will be hard for Koeman and his stuff. 

To knock them down will mean to use various tactics. So far, if Koeman uses the same XI, Barcelona is set to suffer through the wings. Fullback Navas has been absolutely on form and it will be hard to contain Sevilla’s direct wingplay. Not to say that we are currently boasting a promising team as well. But it’s indeed in this month that we will witness what Koeman’s nerves are made off, with the hope to see iron strength in Koeman’s intellect.

The words of Ronald Koeman

ElJdP

Positional play expressed through all phases of play, a football fan that fell in love with the Beautiful Game over 10 years ago. Occasionally writes about FC Barcelona for Barca_Buzz, on tactics and attempts to explain the game to the casual eye.