A perfect final final in Spain for Andres Iniesta and other things learned from Barcelona's crushing win over Sevilla in Copa del Rey

Andy West 01:57 22/04/2018
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Barcelona became the first team to win four consecutive Copa del Rey titles since Athletic Bilbao in 1933, brushing aside Sevilla with an emphatic 5-0 victory at the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid.

    Luis Suarez scored twice, and goals from Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and Philippe Coutinho completed the rout in a game which will be remembered as the last Barca final played by iconic skipper Iniesta.

    Here are the main talking points from the first trophy for Barca coach Ernesto Valverde.

    INIESTA’S FINAL FINAL

    Alongside his long-time partner in crime Lionel Messi, midfield master Iniesta has won more titles with Barcelona than any other player. His total rose to 31 with this latest triumph, and that will climb to 32 when his team’s La Liga success is confirmed in the next few days (perhaps as early as Sunday night if Atletico Madrid lose to Real Betis).

    But veteran skipper Iniesta’s honours haul will not increase any further, with Spain’s 2010 World Cup Final match-winning hero expected to announce his departure to China in the next few days.

    And this was the perfect way for Iniesta to sign off in his final final of a magnificent Barca career. He played a prominent part throughout, and capped an excellent performance with a brilliant goal early in the second half, receiving a perfect pass from Messi (who else) and rounding Sevilla keeper David Soria to slot home.

    Iniesta now faces an extremely emotional farewell from the Camp Nou during the remainder of the season, with the Clasico against Real Madrid in a fortnight sure to be a particularly emotional affair. And he deserves every last second of every ovation he’ll receive.

    ‘MS’ REIGN SUPERME

    Messi and Suarez were all over Sevilla.

    Messi and Suarez were all over Sevilla.

    On the subject of departures, last season’s Copa del Rey Final was the last competitive game in a Barca shirt for Neymar before his shock move to Paris Saint-Germain, and he also signed off with a goal in the 3-1 victory over Alaves.

    Eleven months later on, the Catalan club’s forward line has been reduced by one superstar but the outcome was the same as Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez – the remaining members of MSN – showed they can still tear open any defence.

    ‘MS’ have now scored a combined total of 69 goals this season, with Messi amazingly reaching a total of 40 goals at club level for nine consecutive seasons, and their rampant partnership has been the key factor behind Barca’s impending league and cup double.

    However, this was probably their last final together in the current format, with Barca strongly tipped to sign Antoine Griezmann from Atletico Madrid during the summer. In the long-run, Griezmann has been earmarked the replacement for Suarez, who is now 31 years old.

    But next season the new man will be expected to play alongside the two South Americans – and with Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele also set to take enhanced roles next season, we could be looking at a significantly revamped Barca forward line this time next year.

    SEVILLA COMMIT SUICIDE

    In one respect this was a brave performance from Sevilla, who threw men forward in an attempt to attack Barca and therefore created a surprisingly open game.

    But that just played into the hands of Messi, Iniesta, Coutinho and Co, and by the final whistle the only surprise was that the winners did not manage more than five goals against a Sevilla defence which was repeatedly left dangerously exposed.

    Another aspect of Sevilla’s tactical set-up which backfired was their insistence upon holding an extremely high defensive line, with the back four pushed up all the way to the halfway line whenever they attacked.

    Barca exploited that approach with the opening goal as goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen’s long ball downfield released Coutinho, who had a clear route through to tee up Suarez for a simple finish. The third goal was similar as Suarez broke clear from the halfway line and exchanged passes with Messi to score.

    And although Barca played some exhilarating attacking football, Sevilla’s imbalanced approach certainly contributed to their own downfall, and Italian coach Vincenzo Montella may struggle to retain his position for the start of next season.

    Recommended