02/27/2021 11:17 AM
Clarín.com
sports
Updated 02/27/2021 11:17 AM
In a Spanish League led by Atlético de Madrid (55 points), Barcelona (50) and Sevilla (48) animate the outstanding match of date 25. At the Sánchez Pizjuán, Ronald Koeman's team faces a difficult challenge but an ace up his sleeve: Lionel Messi, who has his favorite victim on the Andalusian team.
Throughout his award-winning career, the Rosario scored 37 goals in 41 games against Sevilla.
However, he was unable to score in the last three matches, a streak that he will try to cut this afternoon, when from 12.15 he takes to the field in Andalusia.
The game will be televised by
ESPN
.
In addition to the undisputed presence of Leo, the Dutch coach left Griezmann on the bench and leaned towards Ter Stegen;
Mingueza, Piqué, Lenglet;
Dest, De Jong, Busquets, Pedri, Alba;
Messi and Dembélé.
🔵🔴 Our XI! # SevillaBarça pic.twitter.com/QQfualt1Pa
- FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona_es) February 27, 2021
Messi will not be the only Argentine present in Seville.
In the local team, Papu Gómez is the starter and Franco Vázquez is among those called up, while Lucas Ocampos, with an ankle injury, and Marcos Acuña, who suffers a broken hamstring, remain absent.
🚨 XI of #SevillaFC 🆚 @FCBarcelona_es ⤵️
Bono - J. Navas, Koundé, Diego Carlos, Escudero - Fernando, Jordán, Rakitic - Munir, Papu Gómez, De Jong. # WeareSevilla #NuncaTeRindas # SevillaFCBarça pic.twitter.com/QYXx8DRcN5
- Sevilla Fútbol Club (@SevillaFC) February 27, 2021
The match between Catalans and Andalusians will be the first they will play in five days, since on Wednesday they will define a Copa del Rey finalist at the Camp Nou, in the revenge match of the one that Sevilla won 2-0 in the first leg on February 10th.
This Saturday at the Sánchez-Pizjuán, the second of the three clashes between the two in less than a month, is presented as an examination of the aspirations and the immediate future in the fight for LaLiga, if the others allow it (Atlético de Madrid and Real Madrid), and also for the crucial appointment four days later in the Cup.
With third place at stake, Julen Lopetegui's team, fourth with 48 points and one game less than Barça, third with 50 after their 3-0 in Wednesday's postponed match against Elche, arrives at the meeting launched, in an unbeatable moment and with the spirits through the roof thanks to his 6 wins in a row and 528 minutes unbeaten in LaLiga.
Meanwhile, Barcelona faces this first face-to-face against Sevilla in low hours.
After falling at Pizjuán in the first leg of the Cup semifinals (2-0) and conceding another European win against Paris Saint-Germain (1-4) in the knockout stages of the Champions League, the Catalan team plays continuity in both competitions.
In LaLiga he comes from beating Elche (3-0) without playing a brilliant game.
Positioned in third place in the table, with only two points ahead of Sevilla, the Barcelona fans need victory in Andalusia to stay alive in the fight for the title.
The casualties of Sergi Roberto, Philippe Coutinho and Ansu Fati continue to condition Koeman's scheme.
Thus, Sergio Busquets, Frenkie de Jong and Pedri González will be the protagonists of the center of the field.
Look also
The tender greeting of Lionel Messi to Antonela and the family photo of the birthday