FC Barcelona vs Sevilla : Five things to watch for

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BASEL, SWITZERLAND – MAY 18: Adam Lallana of Liverpool in action with Vitolo of Sevilla during the UEFA Europa League Final match between Liverpool and Sevilla at St. Jakob-Park on May 18, 2016 in Basel, Switzerland. (Photo by Chris Brunskill Ltd/Getty Images) /

2. Fatigue from Sevilla?

This will be the second game this week for Sevilla. They played the Europa League final on Wednesday in a tightly contested match and have to play on Sunday against FC Barcelona in the Copa Del Rey final. Sounds like a result of poor scheduling but Sevilla will have to toughen it out. Their fitness will be tested in this one and we will surely see signs of fatigue.

Given Barcelona’s style of play, Sevilla will surely be chasing after the ball and that will tax a team in terms of staying fit. Teams can probably chase Barcelona for a half or so. But around the 65th minute is when FC Barcelona can break you down in the blink of an eye. Given that Sevilla just played in a final a few days prior, they will surely be tired and chasing the ball won’t help anything. Fatigue will begin to set in and all of a sudden, Sevilla won’t look like themselves.

Unai Emery’s squad rotation will be tested and his substitutes will have to make a huge impact. Especially in this game where a lot of his players will be tired. If Sevilla doesn’t put out a fresh squad out on the pitch, it will be a very troubling game for them.

Next: 1. Spanish double for FC Barcelona?

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