Valdano Critiques Barcelona’s Performance Against Sevilla

Pressing Issues Highlighted

Former General Manager of Real Madrid, Jorge Valdano, has expressed his views on Barcelona’s struggle to cope with Sevilla’s pressing game during their recent encounter on Sunday.

Valdano compared Matias Almeyda’s Sevilla team to those coached by Marcelo Bielsa, noting their aggressive and relentless approach.

Vulnerabilities Exposed

In an appearance on Movistar +, he stated that Barcelona’s performance against Paris Saint-Germain prior weakened their setup. “PSG left Barcelona somewhat exposed,” he commented, adding that the match revealed some of Barcelona’s inherent flaws, particularly evident in the final thirty minutes.

Environmental Factors and Match Dynamics

Reflecting on the game, Valdano mentioned, “The intense heat in Seville likely played a role.” He emphasized the “overwhelming pressure” applied by Sevilla, which followed a man-to-man marking strategy reminiscent of Bielsa’s philosophy, effectively stifling Barcelona’s midfield operations.