Barcelona face Sevilla tonight with a chance to complete a perfect start to the season of seven wins from seven matches before the international break. Hansi Flick's side leads La Liga with a full 18 points from six games, having scored 28 goals and conceded just six. The team has averaged 4.7 goals per game in its last three matches, showing spectacular form.
The run includes a 7-2 thrashing of Racing Santander last weekend, where Raphinha scored a hat-trick. The Brazilian is the league's top scorer with nine goals in six appearances, having found the net in five of the six league matches. His offensive output has been key for a team that has scored five or more goals on three occasions already this campaign.
Goalkeeper concern
The only note of caution comes in goal, where Joan García suffered a minor right knee injury after slipping in the match against Racing. The goalkeeper did not train yesterday and Wojciech Szczesny, who replaced him last Saturday, is expected to start at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán. Hansi Flick praised the Polish keeper, recalling that "gracias a Szczesny ganamos una Liga". Dominik Livakovic and Iker Rodríguez complete the goalkeeping options for the match.
The long-term injured list still includes Roony and Frenkie de Jong. Meanwhile, players like Xavi Espart, Pau Cubarsí and Anthony Gordon, who did not start against Racing, could feature tonight.
Pizjuán revenge mission
The match represents a chance for revenge for Barcelona, who suffered a 4-1 defeat at this same ground last season. Sevilla, coached by Luis García Plaza, sits in European qualification spots and arrives without Rubén Vargas or Lucas Stassin. The doubt in their defence is Kike Salas, whose fitness will determine if the return of Sangante, who served a suspension and was injured, is from the start.
A victory would keep Barcelona three points clear of Real Madrid in the standings. The team aims to close this flawless phase before players depart for international duty. The next fixture on the league calendar will be after the international break.
First reported at Marca - Primera
