Red-hot Robert Lewandowski and Pablo Torre struck twice every as Barcelona hammered Sevilla 5-1 on Sunday to remain three factors away from Real Madrid on the prime of La Liga forward of subsequent weekend’s Clasico. Los Blancos beat Celta Vigo on Saturday to drag stage with Hansi Flick’s facet however Barca swiftly restored their benefit with a dominant show of attacking soccer. Veteran striker Lewandowski reached 12 targets in 10 La Liga matches, his strikes sandwiching Pedri Gonzalez’s effort from the sting of the field, earlier than substitute Torre added the fourth. Stanis Idumbo grabbed a comfort for Sevilla within the remaining levels however Francisco Garcia Pimienta’s facet had been roundly overwhelmed on his return to the membership he spent almost three a long time with in varied roles.
Torre completed the rout with a crossed free-kick which flew past Nyland and in on the far submit.
“(It was) essential, given the video games forward, however this was an necessary recreation (too) and we obtained the three factors,” Pedri informed Movistar.
“Just earlier than the sport the coach stated the house was simply outdoors the realm and I had the luck (to attain).”
Despite upcoming clashes in opposition to Bayern Munich within the Champions League and Saturday’s go to to the Santiago Bernabeu, Flick began arguably his strongest match and accessible facet.
The coach was in a position to identify Dani Olmo, Fermin Lopez and Gavi on the bench after harm, the latter sidelined since November 2023 following a knee operation.
Ansu Fati began for the primary time this season after Eric Garcia felt discomfort within the warm-up, with Raphinha shifting right into a central attacking midfield place.
Lamine Yamal, beginning after recovering from a minor hamstring pressure which noticed Spain launch him from worldwide obligation early, curled off track early on after a spritely burst previous two Sevilla gamers.
The Catalans took the lead when Raphinha went down within the field below mild contact from Peque, a former Barca youth participant, and the referee pointed to the spot.
Lewandowski, stuttering in his run-up, despatched Sevilla goalkeeper Orjan Nyland the unsuitable approach to hearth Barca forward.
The 36-year-old striker is having fun with a second wind below Flick and leads Spain’s scoring charts with 12 strikes in 10 matches, twice as many as some other participant.
Pedri quickly doubled Barcelona’s lead from the sting of the field after the energetic Yamal set him up. The teenage Spain star then threaded by means of Lewandowski however Nyland made a effective save to disclaim him.
Polish veteran Lewandowski netted his second earlier than the break by guiding residence Raphinha’s drive from distance with a flick of his boot.
Suffering Sevilla had been dealt extra dangerous information earlier than the break when explosive winger Chidera Ejuke limped off injured.
Raphinha fired residence early within the second half however was offside, as Barcelona strolled, carving open the Andalucians at their leisure.
Yamal produced an outrageous shot from distance with the skin of his boot which Nyland clawed to security.
Dodi Lukebakio struck on the different finish on a uncommon Sevilla forray ahead however had strayed offside.
Barca midfielder Pablo Torre rattled residence the fourth with assistance from a deflection earlier than Gavi made his first look in 11 months in its place with a couple of minutes remaining to a rapturous reception.
“He’s an amazing man, a tough employee, he deserves this second, you may see the followers love him and all of us do,” added Pedri.
Idumbo pulled one again for Sevilla, thirteenth, however Torre wrapped up Barcelona’s night time with a stroke of fortune when his free-kick crept in on the far submit.
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