Barça rode an early storm to beat Sevilla 3-0 on Saturday. Therefore, they continued to be unbeaten at the start of the season.
Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski and Eric Garcia got the goals. Now, Barça made it 10 points from 12 this season, keeping them within two of leaders Real Madrid.
Sevilla continues their nightmare start to the campaign continues. They have just one point in LaLiga and welcome Manchester City to the Sanchez Pizjuan in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Xavi named an unchanged side from the team that beat Real Valladolid last weekend but it was Sevilla who started the strongest.
The weapon of counter attacks
Julen Lopetegui’s side pressed well on a tricky playing surface and Marc-Andre ter Stegen made good saves from Ivan Rakitic and En-Neysri.
However, this new-look Barça side is clinical and at they showed Sevilla how to finish at the other end.
Raphinha opened the scoring in the 21st minute, heading home after Lewandowski’s shot was scooped off the line following a break led by Ousmane Dembele.
Lewandowski then added the second 15 minutes later, controlling and finishing expertly after good work from Jules Kounde against his former side.
Kounde also created the third, heading a Raphinha cross back across the goal for Eric Garcia to score his first professional goal in the second half.
Barça could have added to the tally but had to settle for three in the end.
It was nice to see the weapon of counter attacks in the first 2 away matches. Most goals in the first 2 tough matches came from counter attacks.
Xavi wanted to add speed to this side. And he now has the players to do just that. When you have pacey attackers you can attack quickly. Moreover, when you have pacey defenders, you can move your defensive line up the pitch.
Add a goalscorer like Robert Lewandowskito that, and you have one hell of a team.
