Unlucky Barça have to settle for a point (1-1)

Barcelona (FCB).- Barça dropped two points at the Sanchez Pijuan after a sensational first half that saw Bojan put them ahead on the half hour, Messi have a goal disallowed and another effort hit the bar. Sevilla equalised after the break and were able to hold on to take a point from the La Liga leaders, who now have a five points lead at the top.

Disallowed goal

Barça came out of the traps the faster and on seven minutes, Messi was denied what appeared a perfectly fine goal as he fired in a free kick, the referee spotting a foul by another Barça player. Soon after, Pedro had to be substituted with a groin problem and Bojan was given a chance to prove himself. Those problems didn’t set Barça back though and they continued to dominate, find space and link up well – the only thing missing was a goal.

Bojan on target

Sevilla were penned back in their own half and only rarely broke out – one such occasion leading to a penalty claim as Alves and Zokora came together on 24 minutes, but that was a rare opportunity and soon after Bojan made it 0-1 after a good move involving Iniesta and Alves which the number 9 just had to control and put away.

Woodwork frustrates Messi

The goal just confirmed Barça’s superiority and Guardiola’s team now turned the screw with complete domination of possession. Messi was leading the show and on 42 minutes he was unlucky to see a header hit the bar in a move reminiscent of the second goal in the Champions League Final in Rome, with Xavi providing the cross. Although he went down in some pain at the end of the half after the Sevilla keeper Varas caught him on the knee, he was able to continue after the break.

Sevilla hit back

Manzano sent on Kanouté for the second half as he looked for more attack from his team and after just three minutes, Navas was on target to bring the hosts level. Almost immediately afterwards, Negredo had the chance to make it 2-1 after a break that came from an apparent foul on Busquets. Barça weren’t shaken though and they gradually played their way back into the superiority they’d shown earlier, as Sevilla were forced back and as the minutes passed became more aggressive and negative.

Out of luck

Leo Messi, was proving incisive as he dropped behind the front men and it took a desperate clearance from Medel to stop him scoring on 68 minutes after he’d skipped his way through the Sevilla defence and soon after Bojan had a good shout for a penalty turned down. Sevilla themselves again threatened when Valdes was called on to make a point blank save from Navas and the hosts were looking for counter attacks to spring a surprise. Barça kept on dominating though and continued to play their trademark passing game. Once again, the woodwork kept them out when Xavi rattled a shot off the bar on 85 minutes and in injury time Medel was again on hand to clear off the line, this time from Iniesta- a fitting end to an unlucky night for a Barça team who were by far the better team.

Goals

0-1 Bojan (min 30)
1-1 Navas (min 48)