What’s especially interesting is that beating Liverpool was Sevilla’s only third victory of the season on the away games, beating only Athletic Bilbao (in the Europa League), Mirandes, and Logrones (both in the Copa del Rey).
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“It was a great final, very intense and emotional”.
“The team has known how to compete marvellously despite the difficulties we have faced this season”.
It was a more direct approach from Barca than their usual style but equally effective and ended up handing them a 1-0 win and the Copa del Rey trophy.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Saturday, Barcelona manager Luis Enrique insisted that their opponents Sevilla are “specialists” in finals and that they would have to be prepared for any eventuality.
Daniel Carrico was the second Sevilla player to be sent off after receiving his second yellow card.
Sevilla coach Unai Emery will bring Sergio Rico back in goal for the Cup final, while he is forced to make at least one change in defence as Timothee Kolodziejczak is suspended.
The Uruguay striker, who cried on the bench after being substituted, had been crucial for Barcelona in the final stages of the Spanish league, scoring 14 goals in the last five matches.
After Mascherano’s red in the second half, Ever Banega saw red for a last-man tackle for Sevilla to even in out.
Jordi Alba scored the opener for Barcelona against Sevilla in the Copa del Rey final.
The Catalan club also lost Luis Suarez with an apparent muscle injury early in the second half.
“In football we are to live special moments, the team has had them and the fans of has lived here and in Basle”.
“We needed more tranquillity when we had numerical superiority”, the right-back said after the game.
Barcelona will again look to its trio of star forwards to finish off the campaign with another trophy, adding the cup to the league, Club World Cup and European Super Cup titles.
“I just want the people to go and have a good time”.
“At the start of the season it was unthinkable that we would be disputing two finals”, Vitolo said.
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Sevilla finished the La Liga season in 7th place, 39 points behind Barcelona.
