Sevilla face FC Barcelona aiming for a third consecutive victory in their head-to-head meetings, a feat that would reignite hope among fans accustomed to relegation fears. Luis García Plaza's side, fifth in the table with 13 points from seven games, remembers the emphatic 4-1 win they inflicted on the Blaugrana at the Pizjuán last season under Matías Almeida. Sevilla arrive with a run of two wins in their last three league matches, a piece of recent form they aim to extend.
The challenge is enormous. Hansi Flick's Barcelona arrive with a perfect league record, having scored 28 goals and conceded just six, and after thrashing Racing 7-0. Their star, Raphinha, leads the Pichichi standings with nine goals in six matches, including a hat-trick and two braces. Flick praised the contribution of his goalkeeper, Wojciech Szczesny, key to winning the title last season. "Thanks to Szczesny we won a league," the German coach said. The club's stated objective this season remains survival, but good results have raised expectations of a European place, a target the club estimates requires 45 goal minutes per match to achieve.
For Sevilla, manager Luis García is aware of the rival's strength. "It seems like they're not playing against top-flight teams," he warned about Barça. To face them, the team will rely on its 'grit and courage', as the coaching staff has explained.
Absences and defensive doubts
Sevilla approach the match with the confirmed absence of Rubén Vargas and a doubt over Lucas Stassin. In defence, Mamadou Sangante has returned to the group after serving a suspension and overcoming an injury, but his starting spot depends on the fitness of Kike Salas. Luis García Plaza indicated that one specific player, unnamed, will either start or be on the bench.
The most recent clash between the two, however, ended in a 1-3 defeat for Sevilla on September 19, with a Raphinha hat-trick. To check the team's full schedule, including the next match against Levante, visit our fixtures page. The squad status and any further absences can be followed in the squad section.
After the international break, Sevilla will visit 16th-placed Levante on October 12. A win against the leaders would be a definitive boost for the confidence in Luis García's project.
The report in full is at Marca - Primera
