UEFA Super Cup: Barcelona vs Sevilla - 5 Talking Points
Two Spanish clubs, two European champions entered the Dinamo Arena in Georgia last evening, as UEFA Champions League winners, FC Barcelona, took on UEFA Europa League winners, Sevilla in the European Super Cup Final.In a repeat of the 2006 final, where Dani Alves was part of the Sevilla side that beat Barcelona 3-0, the fans inside the stadium and the viewers watching at home were hoping for a fast, action-packed game and the two teams did not disappoint – scoring a total of nine goals, four of them in the each half and a decider in extra time. Barcelona ran out winners with the odd goal in the nine, after taking a 4-1 lead and losing it in the second half.
#1 Messi Magic and the early set-pieces
The fans had barely found their seats when Sevilla’s Ever Banega handed the less-favoured team a shock lead, with a curling free-kick from 20 yards out. Minutes later, Lionel Messi replicated that same free-kick on the other end, leveling the scores.
Sevilla’s physical style of play resulted in multiple fouls throughout the first half, especially on Messi and Suarez. Less than 10 minutes after his first goal, another free-kick from Messi, about 25 metres away from goal, but the exact same result. This one had more power and found its way to the top right corner, giving Beto no chance, much like the previous one.
The precise free kicks had the commentators discussing plans to stop Messi, who, at the time, was two out of two in the game. ‘No need for a wall’, said one of them, as the match went on and social media exploded in praise for Messi’s goals.
Sevilla continued to bully Messi when he had the ball, double-teaming him even when he wasn’t close to the attacking penalty box, and close to the touchline, but the Argentinian international managed to outfox both his markers, and proceeded to pass to his teammates in free positions.
The 28-year-old showed why he is the best player in the world, as he took on every tackle, every challenge thrown at him by the Sevilla players and ran towards the goal with the ball at his feet.
Last week’s incident against Roma, which had Messi in the news for all the wrong reasons will now be forgotten as the footballing world goes back to loving the maestro for what he is best at – playing football.