Barcelona suffered their first league defeat of the season in a thumping 4-1 loss to Sevilla, as Robert Lewandowski’s missed penalty denied them a lifeline in the second half. Reflecting on the setback, defender Pau Cubarsi admitted that the team’s wastefulness in front of goal proved costly and urged his teammates to “push for more” to prevent such lapses in future games.
Sevilla move to sixth spot in La Liga after Barca win
Sevilla shocked Barcelona with a commanding 4-1 victory, opening the scoring through Alexis Sanchez’s penalty and doubling their lead via Isaac Romero before Marcus Rashford briefly revived Barca with a first half stoppage-time volley; after Lewandowski’s missed penalty, late goals by Jose Angel Carmona and Akor Adams capped off a superb Sevilla performance and highlighted Blaugrana’s poor display at both ends of the pitch. This is Barca's second defeat in a week.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportPau Cubarsi wants Barcelona to step up and raise their game
The Spanish defender showed promise despite Barca's heavy defeat, maintaining composure and making important defensive clearances. He was one of the few players to stand out, even assisting Rashford's chance with a through ball. However, he also criticised the team’s overall lack of intensity after the game.
"In the second half we had very good chances, but football is like that. We can’t let ourselves go as we did in the final plays. Looking ahead, we must focus on these mistakes and push for more," Cubarsi said in a post-match interview.
He added: "The opponent's chances actually start from the front line. I think we need to press like we did last season. I believe in this case we've become complacent, and that cannot continue. It's true that it's just one match, and we shouldn't overreact, but it's also a turning point."
Barcelona now sit second in the table below rivals Real Madrid with 19 points.
Lamine Yamal’s injury concerns and Barca’s fitness warnings
Lamine Yamal’s recurring pubic injury remains a major concern for Barcelona, with Flick expressing doubts about his readiness for the upcoming El Clasico due to the complexity of the injury and the uncertain recovery timeline with the club confirming he will remain out for 2-3 weeks. Yamal, earlier appeared against Real Sociedad before facing an injury relapse after playing 90-minutes against Paris Saint-Germain. Additionally, Blaugrana faces fitness challenges with Fermin Lopez, Gavi and Joan Garcia also sidelined with injuries, adding to the club’s injury crisis.
AFPCoach Flick needs to reassess his tactics
Flick's team has been exhausted with the congested schedule and the absence of many star players during this hectic run has been a constant issue. However, with the international break starting this week, the coach will have a lot of time to reassess his tactics before their fixture against Girona on October 18.