Barcelona will not have it easy to keep up their magnificent pace without Lionel Messi. Today, in their first La Liga outing without the Argentinean superstar, Los Blaugranas were not able to capitalize their dominance over Sevilla, and Los Hispalenses made the best out of their opponents' situation by scoring two goals in a six-minute span to redeem themselves after their UEFA Super Cup loss against Luis Enrique's crew.
This time, Luis Suárez was not able to carry the team on his shoulders, having Neymar as the team's most dangerous player. The Brazilian striker almost scored a wonderful free kick, but his shot hit the post twice and travelled along the goal line before being cleared by one of Sevilla's defenders.
Neymar's free-kick just didn't want to go in... https://t.co/N5AHp6eAhn
— Footy Accumulators (@FootyAccums) October 3, 2015
If you missed it, here's a good description.
Neymar's free kick vs Sevilla: - hits post - hits goalkeeper's back - hits post - travels along the goal line - goes tangent to the post
— BARÇA NÚMEROS (@barcanumbers) October 3, 2015
Barcelona's manager stated after the game he could not believe his team was not able to score more times.
"After watching the ball go back and forth around our opponents' box, it's unbelievable we are walking away with just one goal scored. We are not having the best of times in front of goal, but we will surely be able to turn that around," the coach added.
Fans reacted to Barcelona's second loss in three La Liga games. Here's what they had to say.
>Barcelona with Messi: lost only 9.71% of their games
>Barcelona without Messi: lost 19.51% of their games
> El Barcelona CON Messi: 9.71% de derrotas. > El Barcelona SIN Messi: 19.51% de derrotas. Ahora os lo detallo más.
— MisterChip (Alexis) (@2010MisterChip) October 3, 2015
Barça had 28 shots, 9 on target but they could not find the equaliser http://t.co/dL8idLlItr pic.twitter.com/9fB3fKB4n7
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 3, 2015
Barcelona losing but luckily Messi is injured so only 10% of their fans are watching the game.
— _ (@VanGaald) October 3, 2015
Some fans referred to Luis Enrique's press conference on Friday.
Penalties in La Liga this season: Barcelona: 5 Real Madrid: 1 Stop with the stupid conspiracy theories.
— Ali (@RM_Insider) October 3, 2015
How Barcelona go from winning the treble to not even being able to beat any team they play? Jeez man
— ️ (@AyeJoseeeee) October 3, 2015
Barcelona without Messi is absolutely nothing.
— SocialRMadrid (@SocialRMadrid) October 3, 2015