Match Report: Saturday 13/05/2006 22:00 (GMT+2): La Liga match day 34
Sevilla CF 3 - FC Barcelona 2

Sánchez Pizjuan, Sevilla – attendance: 33.800


Referee: Texeira Vitienes



1 - 0 (Alves '23)

2 - 0 (Aitor Ocio '26 - penalty)
2 - 1 (Ezquerro '41)

2 - 2 (Sylvinho '43)
3 - 2 (Renato '53)




FC Barcelona (4-3-3): Jorquera – Belletti , Oleguer, Rodri, Sylvinho – Xavi, Motta, Gabri – Larsson , Maxi, Ezquerro - Manager: Frank Rijkaard






Sevilla(4-4-2): Palop - Aitor Ozio, Dragutinovic, Daniel Alves, Javi Navarro - Adriano, Diego Capel, J. Navas, Jesuli - Kanouté, Kepa - Manager: Juande Ramos


Match Report:


FC Barcelona "Reserve Team" lost 3-2 against Sevilla CF at the Sánchez Pizjuán stadium but the Barca players performance who made up Frank Rijkaard's "Second" team left a good impression to demonstrate the strength in depth of the Barca squad.

The Barca players involved certainly made an effort and gave their best. Maxi did well on his full league debut and reserve team players Ludovic and Montañés can be satisfied with their first appearances as substitutes. The best news of the evening was Xavi Hernandez's return to full fitness and first full game since his comeback from injury.

The match itself wasn´t important but the Barcelona team left a good impression in Sevilla to demonstrate the strength in depth of Frank Rijkaard's Barca squad.


FC Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard was not going to risk his first-choice players only four days before the Champions league final against Arsenal in Paris and left eight regular Barca players at home.
Daniel Alaves and Aitor Ocio (penalty) gave Sevilla a two goal lead within the opening 24 minutes, but FC Barcelona were level at half time as Santiago Ezquerro and Sylvinho both scored within one minute but Sevilla's Kepa Blanco headed the winner in the 75th minute for the home side.

Barca´s Gabri was sent off in the final seconds of his last match in a Barça shirt.


Worth to mention:
The game started in unusual fashion with Barca applauding their opponents onto the pitch following their emphatic UEFA Cup victory on Wednesday and then Sevilla doing the same to congratulate FC Barcelona on winning the league. The fans in the Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium exploded in delight before the game had even kicked off.


As predicted in our preview, the game was entertaining right from the start. 4 goals in the fist half put the crowd into party mood. The Barca reserve players gave their best and showed a convincing performance. They gave everything to make life for the UEFA Cup winners who desperately needed to win to keep their Champions League hopes in the last match of the season alive. After the 3-2 feat to Sevilla Maxi, Ezquerro & Co. can still keep their heads up.



Now we concentrate on the "Big Final" against opponents Arsenal in Paris next Wednesday!

Match Preview: Sunday 23/04/2006 21:00 (GMT+2): La Liga match day 34
Sevilla CF - FC Barcelona

Sánchez Pizjuan, Sevilla– capacity: 38.300


Referee: Teixeira Vitienes



FC Barcelona (4-3-3): Valdés – Belletti, Rodri, Marquez, Sylvinho (Gio) – Van Bommel (Edmilson), Iniesta (Motta), Deco, -Giuly, Eto'o (Maxi), Ezquerro – Manager: Frank Rijkaard




Sevilla CF (4-4-2): Palop - Aitor Ozio, Dragutinovic,
Daniel Alves, Javi Navarro - Adriano, Diego Capel, J. Navas, Jesuli - Kanouté, Saviola - Manager: Juande Ramos

Match Preview: Sunday 23/04/2006 21:00 (GMT+2): La Liga match day 34
Sevilla CF - FC Barcelona

Sánchez Pizjuan, Sevilla– capacity: 38.300


Referee: Teixeira Vitienes



FC Barcelona (4-3-3): Valdés – Belletti, Puyol, Marquez, Sylvinho (Gio) – Van Bommel (Edmilson), Iniesta (Motta), Deco, -Giuly, Eto'o (Maxi), Ezquerro – Manager: Frank Rijkaard




Sevilla CF (4-4-2): Palop - Aitor Ozio, Dragutinovic,
Daniel Alves, Javi Navarro - Adriano, Diego Capel, J. Navas, Jesuli - Kanouté, Saviola - Manager: Juande Ramos


First matchball (out of 4) for FC Barcelona: If Barca beat FC Sevilla and Valencia does not win in Bilbao, Barca will be crowned old and new Champions of La Primera Liga. If Barca does not win on Sunday, Barca has got the next chance against Cadiz at home in Camp Nou the following week. The club officials have announced there will be no championship celebrations until after Wednesday's clash against Milan, should such a circumstance arise.


FC Barcelona travel to Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán for Sunday's game against UEFA Cup semi-finalists FC Sevilla and hopes to return as Champions of Spain. Sevilla are sixth in the table and have the best defence record at home, having conceded only ten league goals, while Barca has got the best attacking line-up, scoring 73 goals this season so far. With 53 points, Juande Ramos' side are on an UEFA Cup place and are six points away from a Champions League spot. Sevilla will be a strong test for Barça as they have won the majority of their 53 points this season in their own stadium, winning nine and drawing five games and only loosing 2 for a toal of 32 points. The record makes them the third best team at home behind Barça and Valencia who have lost only once at home this season.


The match represents Barça's first chance of mathematically securing the league championship giving the visitors an extra reason to want to take all three points. There is just the luxury question of, does Barca really want this? There are suspicions that the Barcelona officials prefer to bag the Spanish title next week at home in Camp Nou. First, so championship celebrations do not disturb the Champions League preparation for the important match against AC Milan and second, the fans would prefer to win the Championship at home. With an 11 point lead, it is up to FC Barcelona to decide.


Barca will probably rest several top stars in this match. Ronaldinho, Larsson and Oleguer did not make the trip to Sevilla because they are not considered fit. Allthough Xavi had his first full training session with the squad, was yet not called up due to lack of fitness. Barca´s coach Frank Rijkaard will also try to persuade goalgetter Eto'o who is very keen to become Europe´s topsorer this season, to take a rest before the Milan game. Maxi and Ezquerro will probably being desperate to show coach Riijkaard that they are more than just fringe players. Ezquerro and Maxi should start alongside either Eto'o or Giuly, and the duo are just as keen to play their part in wrapping up the League title, after watching from the sidelines all season. Both will be fired up, with absolutely nothing to hold back for. Barca´s midfield star Deco comes back into the team after missing the trip to Milan due to yellow card suspension. Big question mark about who will play along-side the protuguese international Deco and it will be interesting to see which other two Barca midfielder will start: Edmilson, Motta, Iniesta, or Van Bommel?

Belletti (for Oleguer) and Sylvinho (for Gio) will start despite it being an away game.


Sevilla will rest their two full-backs David and Daniel Alves and may be even Ex-Barca striker Saviola for the UEFA Cup semi final second leg against FC Schalke 04.


Our prediction: FC Barcelona will not play with a full squad because they are already focusing ahead on Wednesday´s Champions League semi final return match against AC Milan. Good to know that also FC Sevilla is planning ahead of the important game in the UEFA Cup against German side FC Schalke 04 on Thursdy.
FC Barcelona resting some key players will even this match up, and we will see a very entertaining ninety minutes. Sevilla have more to lose than Barcelona. Barca haven't lost many times this season, no matter what Barca team they have sent out. Both coaches would probably settle for a draw ahead of the game, if it would be possible. Barca can focus on Milan without celebration parties and the Championship can be won for the fans in Camp Nou next week.

FC Sevilla – FC Barcelona 1-1

Visca el Barca!


Here are the odds for the game.

FC Barcelona 2,10

Draw 3,20
Sevilla CF 3,20


To place your bet click here