Pep had said that there’d be a small Liga before the Clásico at the Bernabéu, and another Liga afterwards, and like all Ligas lately, we started this one on the wrong foot. Our seven-point lead over Real Madrid has become a five-point lead and Marca is crying gleefully that there *is* a Liga after all, like others would cry that there is a God.
And all because of Sevilla. Let me say something before I start ranting: I don’t like Sevilla. They’re probably the team I dislike most in La Liga (and yes, that includes EE). I think they’re a bunch of whiners, divers and dirty-tacklers, and every time someone points at Dani Alves as proof that not all Barça players are gentlemen with immaculate consciences, I want to cry, “But it’s not our fault! He learnt that at Sevilla!” (Keita and Adriano seemed to have shaken it off, granted).
But like Brandon said in his preview, after the hysterics that preceded and followed the remuntadaagainst Arsenal, even the pressure cooker that is the Sánchez Pizjuan felt a bit like a soft, fluffy blanket.
Pep decided that innovative line-ups are overrated, and he went out with the starting XI that was to be expected, in the shape of VV, Alves, Piqué, Abidal, Adriano, Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta and our MVP. Perfect. That’s (allegedly) the best football team of the moment, injuries notwithstanding. We should be able to do this!
And, for a bit, it looked as if we would. Sevilla did try to put pressure on our defence, but it was uncharacteristically solid, while our midfield was marvellously in control and our attack busied itself chipping at the Sevilla defence (and getting chipped a lot in return). Our problems began when Pérez Lasa, a referee that not even Mourinho likes, disallowed a goal originated in the one decent free-kick Barça will produce in ages, because he felt that Busi was playing charades behind his back (or something. The call made no sense, so I’m making up my own reasons).
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