Overview

• Sevilla thrashed Barcelona 4-1 at the Sánchez Pizjuán days after PSG beat Flick’s side in the Champions League, marking consecutive losses to start October.
• Rival coaches Luis Enrique and Matías Almeyda used aggressive man-marking and a surprise 4-3-3 to smother Barcelona’s midfield, limiting Pedri, Frenkie de Jong and Dani Olmo.
• Barcelona conceded six goals across the two matches, with several arriving in the closing minutes to underline defensive frailty and loss of control.
• Hansi Flick and players acknowledged tactical surprise and a lack of solutions and intensity, with the coach also pointing to a lengthy injury list including Gavi, Lamine Yamal and Raphinha.
• Key incidents shaped the Sevilla match as Alexis Sánchez scored from a VAR-awarded penalty criticized by Spanish press, and Robert Lewandowski missed a spot kick that could have leveled at 2-2.