Risky business

On Saturday 11th April 2015, Sevilla and FC Barcelona drew 2-2 at Sánchez Pizjuán for the 31st matchday of La Liga.

During the first 30 minutes the Culés were far superior, played a beautiful passing game with Guardiola's flavor and went 2-0 thanks to goals from Messi and Neymar.

But after that things changed and Sevilla was able to reach the 2-2.
Banega and Gameiro scored on the only 2 shots on target for their side.

What happened ?

1) During 1st half, Sevilla did not want to press Barcelona building up from the back.



2) Piqué had time to think and receivers space to move.
Barcelona could play easily.



3) Sevilla let space between their lines.
Barcelona took advantage of it.



4) Sevilla was pressed against their goal by Barcelona.
Once they got the ball they had the full pitch to cross.



5) Barcelona was looking like Guardiola's team. They managed to move Sevilla's block thanks to quick and repetitive passing and then moved the ball to the toher side.



6) Barcelona was well organized while attacking so Sevilla could not play easily once they got it back.



7) Busquets and Alves were efficient at cutting the counterattacks from Sevilla.
Alves was normally behind the ball when Barcelona was attacking.
So he could help Busi in midfield.





During 2nd half Sevilla decided to take big risks in order to get the 2-2.
They could have received several goals.
But it paid off.
What did they do ?

8) Sevilla pressed Barcelona and tried to recover the ball very high.



9) When they had the ball, Sevilla took it to the side and put 8 players in Barcelona's half.



10) But with so many players attacking, Sevilla exposed themselves to counterattacks.
Barcelona could have scored, but they failed to.



11) Sevilla could also exploit the bad positional defending from Barcelona.



12) But Barcelona did not score the 3rd and Sevilla got the 2-2 at 83rd minute.
Emery's decision to take risks paid off !

Real Madrid is 2 points behind and PSG is waiting for the azulgrana on Wednesday for the first leg of 1/4 finals of Champions league.
The "big fortnight" will be amazing !

Saturday 11th April.
31st matchday of La Liga.
Sanchez Pizjuán.
Sevilla 2 - FC Barcelona 2 (Messi min.14, Neymar min.30, Banega min.38, Gameiro min.83)

Header picture from @Emenderk