Three talking points ahead of Sevilla vs Barcelona | La Liga MD8

Not many expected Barcelona to suffer their first defeat of the season so early into the campaign, but there is indeed no shame in going down in the final minute of the game to the reigning European champions.

PSG deserved the win at Montjuic midweek as they showed more character and desire through the second half, and Barcelona clearly have a lot to work on. Concurrently, however, they did prove that not much stands between them and the level PSG possesses.

On Sunday, Barça return to action as they lock horns against Sevilla at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on matchday eight of La Liga in what will be their final game ahead of the international break.

There are some massive squad updates ahead of the game, and Flick will look to earn the three points with minimal strain on regular internationals who will have a hectic two weeks ahead of them.

Barça Universal brings you three talking points ahead of Sevilla vs Barcelona.

Lessons to be learnt

While Barcelona’s defeat to PSG midweek was indeed a massive blow and reality check, one constant silver lining that has been reportedly furthered by the dressing room is that the team should suffer such a defeat early in the season.

The Catalans were seemingly just finding their footing after a rough start to the season and even had the better of the visitors for the opening half-hour, but they ran out of steam too soon, and the collapse was inevitable.

Needless to say, Hansi Flick and Co. have extensively reflected on what went wrong against Luis Enrique’s side, the need to press better and with more intensity throughout the ninety minutes.

For Barcelona, it is thus critical that they stay humble and with their feet grounded after the result. After all, there is much to work on, and that must begin right from tomorrow.

Bouncing back after the defeat is something one can take for certain from the team, given their mentality, but it will be more interesting to see whether they have learnt from their mistakes on the night and can show any immediate improvement.

Yamal is out again

Out injured again. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images for Qatar Airways)

Perhaps the single-biggest talking point ahead of Barcelona’s clash against Sevilla is the fact that Lamine Yamal is out once more after suffering a relapse of his pubalgia, which kept him out after the previous international break.

The game against PSG was Yamal’s first start after returning from injury, but he looked far from himself in the second half and ended the night nursing discomfort.

He is thus ruled out of the upcoming international break, in what is positive news for the club and Hansi Flick, but he will also miss tomorrow’s clash against Sevilla and possibly a game or two after the restart of club football.

Barcelona have managed to pull off positive results even in Yamal’s absence so far this season, but the fact that both he and Raphinha will be unavailable tomorrow means that Flick will need a third player to take up responsibility on the night.

There is a good chance Marcus Rashford sees more importance on the field and a possible start for Roony Bardghji on the right flank as well.

Welcoming the break as leaders

Barcelona’s clash at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan is their final game ahead of the international break, and it thus thus vital that they keep the momentum firmly in their grip as they disperse for the break.

The past few weeks have been topsy-turvy for the Blaugrana, as they have played both some of their best and worst football with a storm of injuries coming the squad’s way as well.

Concurrently, however, it was a critical passage of time for them as Real Madrid dropped three points to Atletico Madrid after a drubbing in the derby and thus handed them the table-top spot on the standings.

A win tomorrow will guarantee that Barcelona stay the leaders of La Liga heading into the break, possibly with a lead of more than a point as well, given that Los Blancos face an in-form Villarreal this matchday.

With El Clasico just around the corner once the break restarts, Barcelona will look to keep the pressure on Real Madrid and utilise the Clasico to pull clear. Entering the break as leaders will be crucial on that front.