Barça rediscover Raphinha's brilliance and thrash Sevilla

BarcelonaA comfortable match for Barça on the day it was decided who would be the new president of the organization. Everything went right for Hansi Flick's men, who, despite playing without Lamine Yamal, were comfortably in control at halftime and ended up winning 5-2 against a Sevilla side that never posed a threat at the Camp Nou, which was celebrating the opening of the North Stand. Raphinha, with a hat trickHe rediscovered his brilliance when it was most needed; Xavi Espart made his first start; Gavi felt like a footballer again after more than 200 days and donned the captain's armband in another victory for the league leaders.

On a perfect afternoon for the Blaugrana, Raphinha rediscovered his best form. The Brazilian opened the scoring early with a Panenka-style penalty. Cancelo drew the penalty after a one-two with the former Leeds player, a precise and swift pass. A surging run down the left by the Portuguese, a combination with Raphinha, who returned the ball with a brilliant backheel, and Sow, arriving late, brought down the full-back. A clear penalty. Raphinha confidently struck the spot-kick, and the ball curled gently into the net, while Odysseas, beaten and already on the ground, saw he could do nothing. The Brazilian celebrated the goal by pointing to the team's badge and kissing it in front of the supporters' section, which had been expanded by 800 fans.

The goal, scored before the first 10 minutes, began to paint the ideal picture: securing the victory without difficulty and dispelling any doubts that might have arisen from the first-leg match, in which Sevilla thrashed them 4-1. Raphinha spearheaded the attack. Furthermore, he and Olmo interchanged positions to confuse the defenders. The narrative of the match gradually shifted towards Barcelona, ​​and the second goal soon followed, with the same protagonists. Cancelo, in a cutback, collided with Carmona's outstretched arm, who attempted to clear the ball with his head but ended up touching it with his arm. At the VAR's urging, Martínez Munuera reviewed the play and awarded a penalty. Although Lewandowski was on the pitch, Raphinha, who has never missed from the penalty spot in a Barcelona shirt, once again took responsibility. This time without any fuss, a powerful shot to the side, once again unleashing the Barça fans' joy despite Odysseas guessing his intentions. With the second goal before the half-hour mark, Barça treated themselves to a comfortable afternoon in front of their home crowd. With a midfield playing together for the first time – Bernal, Pedri, and Olmo – Flick's men continued to dominate effortlessly. There was still time for more goals before halftime. A good pass from Lewandowski to Gerard, who delivered an even better pass, taking advantage of Bernal's run down the wing – in that respect, he differs from Busquets – and the Berga native assisted Olmo, who arrived in the heart of the penalty area. Cancelo completed the rout.

Poor Roony, starting to give Lamine Yamal a rest, was a mere spectator because almost all of the attacking play came down the left flank. The rout brought a few minutes of respite just before halftime, and Sevilla found a small oasis in the desert. A defensive lapse, first by Cancelo – who allowed Juanlu to cross comfortably – and then by Espart – who covered Alexis, leaving Oso unmarked – allowed the Andalusians to break the deadlock. It was just a brief respite, because after the restart, Sevilla suffered another blow.

Fermín, who replaced Pedri, came onto the pitch firing on all cylinders. A brilliant change of pace to beat Sow and an assist for Raphinha, who sealed the victory. hat trickThe Brazilian controlled the ball on the edge of the box, set it up on his left foot to unleash a shot, and fortunately, his effort, deflected by Gudelj, became the fourth. Matías Almeyda's triple substitution proved futile against a Barça side that completely outplayed them.

The Camp Nou erupted in celebration; Joan Laporta knew it and started jumping and dancing in the stands after the fifth goal, a masterpiece from Cancelo, who evaded his defender and slotted the shot between the goalkeeper's legs. Sow made it 5-2 in the final minute. An inconsequential goal against a Barça side that remains focused on La Liga and is now awaiting Newcastle.