FC Barcelona

3.04

• 
  10

  1

  3.50

  Víctor Valdés

  Had absolutely nothing to do other than pick the ball out of the net before being beaten by Botia's awkward bouncing header just before half-time. Sevilla carried a far great attacking threat in the final quarter, though, and Valdes came up with a fine stop to deny Manu.

• 
  17

  0

  3.00

  Daniel Alves

  As ever, operated more as a winger than a full-back and had a goal-bound drive deflected wide midway through the first half. Did not carry his usual attacking threat in the opening 45 minutes but was much improved after the break and played a key role in turning the game around with a pinpoint cross that was easily converted by Villa.

• 
  10

  2

  3.00

  Piqué

  Anticipated things well and was always looking to step forward into midfield. However, was nowhere to be seen when Botia rose to head Sevilla into the lead, thus underlining the worrying lack of concentration Barca are currently exhibiting in defence.

• 
  9

  1

  2.50

  Montoya

  Handed a rare start at left-back and was given a rough ride by Navas, though he was hardly alone in that regard. The youngster also offered very little going forward.

• 
  11

  1

  3.00

  Andrés Iniesta Luján

  Twice linked well with Messi during the first half but was surprisingly quiet overall, failing to influence the game the way he normally does. Unsurprisingly given a rest after Barca had gone 2-1 up.

• 
  10

  1

  3.00

  Thiago Alcántara

  Looked lively early on, having a penalty shout turned down, but his passing was sloppy he didn't really look like making anything happen. Decent display - but not good enough if he has serious aspirations of nailing down a regular starting berth.

• 
  9

  2

  3.00

  Javier Mascherano

  Recalled to the starting line-up in the absence of Carles Puyol and did reasonably well for the most part, though he did not look at all comfortable when left one-on-one with Navas.

• 
  11

  3

  2.50

  Alex Song

  Tried valiantly to put himself about and did the simple things well enough but he still looks out of place in this Barca team, given he does not really bring anything to the party - other than an imposing physical presence.

• 
  25

  1

  4.00

  David Villa Top of the Match

  Needed a strong showing to strengthen his claims for a starting berth against Madrid and did just that. Showed plenty of desire to get on the ball and got his just deserts in the form of the most inviting of crosses from Dani Alves, which he confidently buried.

• 
  6

  11

  2.00

  Alexis Sánchez Flop of the Match

  Still looks nothing like the player who illuminated Serie A a couple of seasons ago. Indeed, the confidence-drained Chilean appears no longer capable of beating his man, while his final ball is nearly always poor. In his defence, he continues to work hard to win it back but then, that is not what Barca paid all those millions for. Unsurprisingly subbed at the break.

• 
  17

  4

  3.50

  Lionel Messi

  Was not at his brilliant best but looked far more like his usual self after his no-show in Milan, creating an opening for Iniesta inside five minutes. Also tested Beto with a low strike from a tight angle before putting Barca ahead by calmly finishing a move he himself had started.

Substitutions

• 
  8

  1

  3.00

  Xavi

  Sent on in place of Iniesta and brought a predictable air of class and composure to the proceedings.

• 
  8

  1

  Busquets

  Came on for Villa for the closing 20 minutes and did a far better job that anyone else in keeping up with Navas

• 
  14

  1

  3.50

  Tello

  Took over on the left-hand side from the woefully ineffective Sanchez during the half-time break and immediately looked much more menacing. Indeed, came as no surprise when he teed up Messi for Barca's second. Could even have netted himself late on.

Sevilla

2.85

• 
  3

  0

  3.00

  Beto

  Saved well with his feet from Messi 21 minutes in, but he was rather surprisingly given very little to do during the first half.

• 
  2

  0

  3.00

  Federico Julián Fazio

  Gave away a free kick in a very dangerous position after being caught flat-footed by Alexis on the edge of the area but, overall, he was a reliable presence at the heart of the Sevilla defence.

• 
  3

  0

  2.50

  Fernando Navarro

  Made numerous interceptions but started to be pulled out of position with greater regularity the longer the game wore on and was booked for cynically barging Messi off the ball on the edge of the area.

• 
  2

  0

  2.00

  Hedwiges Maduro

  Initially did a decent job of protecting his back four from Iniesta and Co. but he was repeatedly caught out during the second half, while his passing deteriorated badly.

• 
  2

  0

  3.00

  Coke

  Expected to struggle given the presence of Iniesta and Villa on the left-hand side, but stood up remarkably well to the most unenviable of challenges, remaining water-tight at the back before then creating the opener for Botia with a sublime cross to the back post. Put under far more pressure upon Tello's arrival, but did well all the same.

• 
  5

  0

  3.50

  Botía

  Put unnecessary pressure on his side with a reckless lunge on Messi just before the half-hour mark but more than made amends by putting his side in front with a very well-executed downward header just before the interval. Didn't deserve to be on the losing side.

• 
  5

  0

  3.00

  Jesús Navas González

  With his terrific turn of pace and quick feet, the winger looked a threat whenever he got an opportunity to run directly at the Barca back four and also did an excellent job tracking back to help out Botia.

• 
  2

  0

  3.00

  Gary Medel

  Played a pivotal role in denying Barca's principal playmakers time on the ball, Medel worked tirelessly before running out of steam during the second half.

• 
  4

  0

  3.00

  Ivan Rakitic

  His touch let him down on occasion but he kept Song on his toes both with and without the ball and played his part in Botia's goal by picking out Coke with a crossfield pass. Definitely should have scored after being picked out by Navas, but then, his terrific through-ball for Negredo also should have been converted.

• 
  2

  0

  3.00

  Manu Del Moral

  Was lucky that his team-mates got him out of trouble early on after getting caught in possession by Alexis but, for the most part, it was he who was a thorn in Barca's side, with his constant hassling and harrying, as well as his willingness to get forward whenever the opportunity presented itself.

• 
  2

  0

  2.50

  Baba Diawara

  Worked his socks off in order to prevent Pique and Mascherano stepping into midfield too often but never looked remotely like scoring. Made way for Negredo not long after half-time.

Substitutions

• 
  1

  0

  Alberto

  Only saw eight minutes of action after replacing Maduro.

• 
  2

  0

  2.50

  Geoffrey Kondogbia

  Introduced in place of Medel midway through the second half but did not make much of an impact.

• 
  2

  2

  3.00

  Negredo

  Took over up top from Baba and caused Barca problems with his movement. However, he squandered a gilt-edged opportunity to level matters late on.