I didn’t want the game to end – Sevilla boss Almeyda revels in Barcelona battering

Sevilla coach Matias Almeyda enjoyed his side’s 4-1 hammering of Barcelona yesterday so much he later admitted he never wanted the game to end.

While much of the focus in Catalonia centred around the decision to award Sevilla a penalty after Ronald Araujo tangled with Isaac Romero in the box, leading to Alexis Sanchez’s opener, the win was well deserved for a Sevilla side that played with passion and purpose.

Romero made it 2-0 before the in-form Marcus Rashford pulled one back for the defending champions.

The key moment came with 14 minutes to go when Robert Lewandowski missed from the spot and Sevilla capitalised on their good fortune with late goals from Jose Angel Carmona and Akor Adams to complete a rousing win.

“Ten years have passed since the previous victory over Barcelona,” said Almeyda. “We had a gameplan that had its risks and in which the team had to believe. And they did. 

“It was an excellent game, for everything, for the enjoyment of the people. The question of why we can’t win at home is eliminated. It had to be done in a big way and it was.”

Sevilla fans enjoy historic victory

The Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan was rocking by the end and Almeyda hopes the connection between players and fans will develop further.

He added: “I think the fans’ party is normal, I haven’t seen anything like this for a long time. 

“The fans want to see that the players give their souls. And when the players give their souls sooner or later the result will arrive. 

“We have to continue with this union. Today was a spectacular atmosphere. I was excited and I didn’t want this game to ever end. I wanted it to continue, because our fans need happiness. 

“And luckily today we gave it to them, we gave it to us. We are a family and that’s what it’s all about. I think the fans are valuing everyone’s effort and as long as we give them results they will be happy.”

Sevilla heading in the right direction – Almeyda

Sevilla go into the international break in sixth place in La Liga and Almeyda is hoping they can build on the win over Barca when the action resumes in a fortnight.

“I know where we are and where we want to go,” he said. “And I have communicated that to the players. A victory or a defeat will not change our work. Victories give more confidence, happiness, but we are going to work game after game as I have been showing and I will continue doing it until I see that the team works perfectly. 

“I am looking for points and we are going in that direction.”