Sevilla: Palop; Luna, Spahic (Cala 67'),
Escudé, Fernando Navarro; Medel, Rakitic (Trochowski 57'); Jesús
Navas, Reyes (Perotti 63'), Manu del Moral; Kanouté. 4-2-3-1.
Barcelona: Víctor Valdés; Dani Alves,
Piqué, Mascherano, Adriano (Puyol 84'); Xavi (Alexis 81'), Busquets,
Iniesta; Pedro, Messi, Fàbregas (Keita 68'). 4-3-3.
Goals:
0-1. 18. Xavi. Free kick from outside of area which
Palop couldn't stop.
0-2. 25. Messi. Picked up Iniesta pass and chipped
shot over keeper.
Yellow cards: Spahic 16', Piqué 31', Escudé 49', Medel 75', Adriano 79', Pedro 82'.
Barcelona threw down the challenge once again to their arch-rivals Real Madrid, a 0-2 victory at Sevilla on Saturday evening reducing the gap o seven points pending Madrid's game on Sunday. The visit to the Sánchez Pizjuán stadium was one of the most difficult fixtures they had left this season, but Adriano and Pedro went close before Xavi opened the scoring with a well struck free kick which Palop got a hand to but could not stop entering the net. And with less than half an hour on the clock Guardiola's side went two up, Messi picking up Iniesta's through ball and nutmegging Spahic before chipping a delightful shot over the keeper, another bit of magic from the little man. The locals could have got one back soon afterwards, Manu del Moral getting in front of Piqué to head against the post, and Kanouté bringing a good save out of Valdés. But Palop had to be at his best to keep out Pedro and Fàbregas before the break, and after the restart Inieista broke through only to chip a shot just wide of the post. Manu caused some problems for Valdés after that, but Barça could have won by a bigger margin in the end had substitute Alexis been able to beat Palop late on.