Barca fail to conquer Fortress Pizjuan in 2-2 Sevilla draw

Andy West 06:18 12/04/2015
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  • Comeback kings: Sevilla.

    For 13 months and 31 games Sevilla have been undefeated at the Sanchez Pizjuan, but with six minutes remaining last night that proud home stand looked under threat.

    However, you don’t build up that sort of a record without the sort of never-say-die attitute Sevilla have displayed under Unai Emery this season and after fine strikes from Lionel Messi and Neymar had given Barca a strong two-goal lead inside the first-half, the hosts roared back into life to maintain their fine run at home in Andalucia.

    Ever Banega pulled one back before half-time, and Sevilla claimed a point with a late leveller from substitute Kevin Gameiro.

    The Catalan club will be desperately disappointed not to claim three points after creating plenty of chances, but Luis Suarez suffered a bad night in front of goal to reignite Real Madrid’s title hopes with the gap now just two points.

    Barca dominated the early stages and Messi had two shots blocked while Neymar and Andres Iniesta had long-range efforts saved by Sergio Rico.

    The visitors took the lead with a moment of magic from Messi, who received a short pass from Neymar and jinked onto his trusty left foot to curl a brilliant strike past the helpless Rico and inside the left corner.

    Luis Enrique’s team moved two ahead when Suarez was fouled on the edge of the box and Neymar stepped up to end his barren run by curling a beautiful free-kick inside the left upright, leaving Rico rooted to the spot.

    It could have been three when a slick move resulted in Neymar releasing Suarez inside the area, but the striker fired his left-footed shot over the bar from a narrow angle.

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    Barca were in complete control at this stage, but the game underwent a complete transformation for the final ten minutes of the first half, starting when Sevilla created their first chance as Vicente Iborra fired over.

    Then Banega was given space outside the area and let fly with a powerful shot which flew towards the left corner. Claudio Bravo dived and got a strong hand on the ball, but he could only turn it onto the inside of the post and in.

    Within seconds, Banega was shooting again after receiving a pass from Vitolo, but remarkably Messi raced back to deny his compatriot with a superb sliding block.

    The second half started in similarly end-to-end fashion, and the visitors should have restored their two-goal lead when Iniesta played a one-two with Suarez and had his shot charged down by Rico. The rebound fell straight to Suarez, but the Uruguayan could only fire over the top.

    There were also attacking opportunities for Sevilla, with Coke slicing well wide after finding space outside the box and Colombian striker Carlos Bacca receiving a pass inside the box but curling his shot over the bar.

    Then former Sevilla captain Ivan Rakitic had a shot blocked and the loose ball looped into the path of Suarez, but the misfiring frontman squandered another golden chance by sending his first-time volley into the side-netting.

    Barca appeared to be inching towards victory until the otherwise excellent Gerard Pique lost possession with a loose pass, Jose Antonio Reyes found Aleix Vidal and his low cross from the right wing was steered home from close range by Gameiro.

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