FC Barcelona vs Sevilla : Five things we learned

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MADRID, SPAIN – MAY 22: coach Unai Emery (3dR) of Sevilla FC gives instructions to his player Ever Banega (2ndL) during the Copa del Rey Final match between FC Barcelona and Sevilla FC at Vicente Calderon Stadium on May 22, 2016 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images) /

2. Sevilla’s fatigue caught up to the them

Sevilla had just played a Cup final, the Europa League final, on Wednesday and only started training for this game on Friday. Manager Unai Emery started many of the same players on Sunday as he did on Wednesday.

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With Sevilla likely chasing the ball, the thought pre-game was that Sevilla was going to be worn down by the second half. The red card helped their chances a lot as they had possession for much of the game. They weren’t chasing the game, allowing them to keep stamina. But in extra time, their fatigue showed.

Down to 10 men, the possession began to swing back to Barcelona as the game opened up with two fewer players on the pitch. That’s when Barcelona began to get more and more chances. With Sevilla players getting more and more tired, they began to take fouls. This led to a number of Sevilla players getting booked in the second half + extra time. Sevilla ended up finishing the game down to 9 men as Daniel Carrico was sent off in the 120th minute.

Sevilla had their chances to win this game in regular time, where they were fresher. But they missed those chances and the fatigue cost them.

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