Purple-hot Robert Lewandowski and Pablo Torre struck twice every as Barcelona hammered Sevilla 5-1 on Sunday to remain three factors away from Actual Madrid on the prime of La Liga forward of subsequent weekend’s Clasico. Los Blancos beat Celta Vigo on Saturday to tug degree with Hansi Flick’s aspect 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 closing phases however Francisco Garcia Pimienta’s aspect have been roundly crushed on his return to the membership he spent practically three many years with in numerous roles.
Torre completed the rout with a crossed free-kick which flew past Nyland and in on the far publish.
“(It was) crucial, given the video games forward, however this was an necessary sport (too) and we acquired the three factors,” Pedri informed Movistar.
“Simply earlier than the sport the coach mentioned the area was simply exterior the realm and I had the luck (to attain).”
Regardless of 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 out there aspect.
The coach was capable of 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 responsibility early, curled off course early on after a spritely burst previous two Sevilla gamers.
The Catalans took the lead when Raphinha went down within the field below gentle 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 incorrect method to fireplace 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 another 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 wonderful save to disclaim him.
Polish veteran Lewandowski netted his second earlier than the break by guiding dwelling Raphinha’s drive from distance with a flick of his boot.
Struggling Sevilla have been dealt extra dangerous information earlier than the break when explosive winger Chidera Ejuke limped off injured.
Raphinha fired dwelling 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 dwelling 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 is an amazing man, a tough employee, he deserves this second, you possibly can 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 evening with a stroke of fortune when his free-kick crept in on the far publish.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV workers and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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