FC Barcelona vs Sevilla : Five things we learned

2 of 6

MADRID, SPAIN – MAY 22: Referee Carlos del Cerro Grande hands Ever Banega of Sevilla the red card during the Copa del Rey Final between Barcelona and Sevilla at Vicente Calderon Stadium on May 22, 2016 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images) /

5. Ever Banega’s red card was the real killer for Sevilla

Javier Mascherano’s red card really hurt FC Barcelona and their game plan in the match but you could argue that Ever Banega’s red card was a bigger turning point. The attacking midfielder, who is moving to Inter Milan this summer, brought down Neymar just outside the box.

More from Copa del Rey

It was Lionel Messi who split the Sevilla defense with a pass to the Brazilian winger who looked to be all alone on goal. But Banega took him down with a foul and it was a straight red. It was at the end of the game (in stoppage time) and suddenly Sevilla’s advantage disappeared.

It was a mental lapse by Sevilla on defense as it left an attacking mid in Banega as the last line of defense. That shouldn’t happen. There is no way he should be put in that position and because of a lack of organization, Sevilla saw their best player being sent off.

Banega’s sending off switched the game back into Barcelona’s favor as it allowed the Catalans to play with more of the ball rather than chase it. With the man advantage gone, Sevilla began to feel the heat of Barca’s pressure and in the end it hurt them as they gave up two goals in extra time.

Next: 4. The hero in the midfield

Home/Copa del Rey