Barcelona suffered a crushing 4-1 defeat against Sevilla on Sunday, a result that has thrust Real Madrid into the top spot of LaLiga with significant momentum as teams head into the international break. This embarrassing loss prevented Hansi Flick`s side from securing pole position before the season`s second international hiatus, highlighting their inconsistent form. Following eight league matches, Real Madrid now hold a two-point advantage over Barcelona. This marks Flick`s inaugural LaLiga defeat and their second consecutive loss, having also fallen 2-1 to PSG in the Champions League on Wednesday. The two formidable Spanish clubs are set to face each other for the first time this season on October 26th, in what is anticipated to be a pivotal encounter for the championship title.
Lamine Yamal`s Absence and Key Moments
The Blaugrana`s challenge against Sevilla was further complicated by the absence of rising Spanish star Lamine Yamal. He was sidelined after aggravating a pubic area injury, as confirmed by the club on Friday, meaning he will also miss Spain`s upcoming international fixtures.
During Sunday`s game, Barcelona conceded two goals in the opening half. In the second half, Barcelona`s prominent striker, Robert Lewandowski, failed to convert a penalty. Sevilla capitalized on this, adding two more goals before the match concluded. This victory, Sevilla`s first league win against Barcelona in a decade, inadvertently boosted Real Madrid, who had reclaimed the top spot by defeating Villarreal 3-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday.
Flick Addresses Disappointing Performance
Following the match against Sevilla, coach Flick addressed the media, expressing his disappointment with his team`s display. He stated:
“The initial half was not up to our standards. They engaged us aggressively in one-on-one situations, and we lacked effective responses, which is unacceptable. However, I truly commend the team`s response in the second half. I prefer not to dwell on the two goals; we are not looking for excuses. Our focus must be on improving our first-half performance, though the reaction demonstrated later was crucial. This defeat carries significance, and after the upcoming break, we are determined to contend for all available titles. That remains our objective – we are a capable squad. I am not angry; the circumstances were evident to everyone, and I won`t debate them. We performed well in the latter half. Now, we must maintain this momentum. A 4-1 loss is difficult to accept, but ultimately, it represents just one game.”
