Andres Iniesta and Ever Banega the key men as Barcelona, Sevilla face off in Copa del Rey final

Aditya Devavrat 09:49 21/04/2018
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  • Ever Banega could hold the key to victory for Sevilla.

    Sevilla and Barcelona have played out two gripping games this season in La Liga, setting up a mouth-watering clash in Saturday’s Copa del Rey final.

    Barcelona edged the home league fixture, winning 2-1, before producing a famous comeback in the reverse game to salvage a draw after Sevilla had taken a 2-0 lead.

    It wouldn’t seem like it on paper, but going by the evidence of those two games, the two sides are evenly-matched, which should make the final a thriller.

    Here’s a look at the key players from either team who will decide where the trophy ends up.

    TOP MARKSMEN

    Lionel Messi v Luis Muriel

    Lionel Messi was once a precocious young talent bursting onto the scene. Now, he’s cast as the veteran while Sevilla’s Luis Muriel is the young gun looking to make his mark on the world.

    Messi has been his usual, stunning self this season, at times single-handedly keeping Barcelona’s unbeaten league season going. Sevilla have been on the receiving end, when they held a 2-0 lead against Barca last month after 87 minutes only to slip to a draw, with Messi getting the equaliser off the bench.

    On the other hand, Muriel has blown hot and cold since he became Vincenzo Montella’s first-choice striker. He’s not as polished a finisher as Sevilla’s incumbent No9, Wissam Ben Yedder, but offers much more energy and pace, which is crucial to the Andalucians’ style of play. He scored in that 2-2 draw, although he also missed a glorious chance to make it 3-0 – summing up Muriel’s play this season.

    Messi doubles up as Barcelona’s main orchestrator as well, a burden not placed on the young Muriel’s shoulders yet. However, unlike his counterpart, much more will be expected of Muriel when Sevilla are not in possession, as leads their swarming forward press.

    0420 Messi vs Muriel

    CHIEF CREATORS

    Andres Iniesta v Ever Banega

    This is bordering on a valedictory appearance for Iniesta, likely his last cup final in Barcelona colours. The Barca captain is almost certain to leave the only club he’s ever known at the end of the season, and is looking to sign off with a league and cup double.

    Iniesta no longer has the burden of being his team’s chief creator. However, he’s still the metronome setting the tone for Barcelona in midfield. The way he retains possession remains sublime, and his vision to get the ball to Messi and company is still among the best in the game.

    Four years Iniesta’s junior, Banega is having a superb season for Sevilla, putting himself in the reckoning for a spot in Argentina’s World Cup squad with some superlative displays. He’s been the creative force behind some of Sevilla’s best play this season.

    There are similarities to his opposite number, but at this point in time, Banega is more crucial to his side’s success. He dictates play when he’s on the ball, finding his teammates in the perfect position to continue an attack. That ability is even more crucial when Sevilla play on the counter, as they will be forced to do against Barcelona.

    0420 Iniesta vs Banega

    BACK PROTECTION

    Gerard Pique v Clement Lenglet

    Lenglet has been a revelation for Sevilla this season, one of the bright sparks even as their campaign has petered out. Having made headlines for his superb display in his side’s stunning Champions League win over Manchester United, the Frenchman could punctuate his excellent season with a similar performance in a cup final – and one that could see him become Pique’s teammate next season.

    Perhaps when Pique looks up the pitch on Saturday, he’ll see shades of himself in the Sevilla centre-back. Both are stylish defenders in the continental tradition – another reason the rumours are swirling around a potential Lenglet-to-Barcelona transfer – but combative, no-nonsense warriors when they need to be.

    For the Barcelona defender, it’s a chance to extend his reputation as a player who almost always performs in the biggest games, and maybe to give his young counterpart a defensive masterclass in the bargain.

    Or, maybe Lenglet will be the one taking the accolades at the end of the game. His performance against United’s Romelu Lukaku was better than Pique’s against Roma’s Edin Dzeko in Barcelona’s shock Champions League exit. Saturday could be the rare day Pique is outshined by an opposing defender.

    0420 Pique vs Lenglet

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