Madrid (AFP)
A crazy ride and a superb goal: the French central defender Jules Koundé surprised FC Barcelona, beaten 2-0 Wednesday in the semi-final first leg of the Spanish Cup, and inflicted on Barça their first defeat in 7 matches, to a week of reception of Paris SG in C1.
Ultimate defender, and now ideal attacker: a perfect run on the right flank, three defenders eliminated including his compatriot Samuel Umtiti, and a cross strike from the right to deceive Marc-André ter Stegen: with this crazy goal for a central defender (25th) , the ex-Bordelais allowed the Sevillians to take an option for the final.
And the former blaugrana Ivan Rakitic, at the end of the match, sealed the victory of Sevilla FC against his former club, on another error of Samuel Umtiti (85th).
For Barça, in the midst of resurrection in the league, this defeat in the cup is a halt without direct consequence ... but unwelcome, six days before the big poster at Camp Nou against Paris Saint-Germain, Tuesday in 8th of Champions League final.
The last defeat of the Catalans dates back to January 17: it was in the final of the Supercopa de Espana against Athletic Bilbao (3-2 after extra time).
Lionel Messi and his family have long tried to attack the Andalusian cages, in particular with these dangerous strikes from the Argentinian (11th, 22nd, 55th), and this direct free kick narrowly released at the end of the match (90th). But the defensive deficiencies of the Blaugrana curtain, and especially those of the Mingueza-Umtiti doublet, were highlighted by the Sevillian occasions.
For Julen Lopetegui's men, this is the 8th consecutive victory in all competitions ... and a confirmation: Jules Koundé, at the height of his 22 years, is more than ever a basic man of the Basque technician in Seville ( 3 goals in 29 matches this season in all competitions).
The second semi-final will pit Levante against Athletic Bilbao on Thursday evening (20:00 GMT).
The return semi-finals will take place on March 3 and 4.
© 2021 AFP