Sevilla FC vs FC Barcelona Lineups: Injuries and Predicted XI

When FC Barcelona travels to Seville for a La Liga showdown, the biggest pre-match questions often revolve around who’s fit to play. With key attackers Raphinha and Lamine Yamal both sidelined, manager Hansi Flick faced tough lineup decisions that ultimately shaped the match. Here’s a clear breakdown of the confirmed absences, the predicted starting XI, and what the result means for both sides.

Match: Barcelona vs Sevilla · Date: October 20, 2024 · Final Score: Barcelona 5-1 Sevilla · Venue: Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys · Barcelona Manager: Hansi Flick · Sevilla Manager: García Pimienta

Six key facts, one pattern: Barcelona’s injury list forced changes, but the depth delivered a convincing win.

Is Raphinha playing against Sevilla?

Raphinha injury status

• Raphinha was omitted from the matchday squad for the Sevilla game due to a muscle injury, confirmed by the club’s official lineup announcement (FC Barcelona official club website).
• Pre‑match reports had projected Raphinha on the left wing, but he did not travel with the team after failing a late fitness test (AS (Spanish sports newspaper)).

Impact on Barcelona’s attack

Without Raphinha, Hansi Flick turned to Ferran Torres and João Félix to provide width. The shift didn’t hurt the scoreline — Barcelona still scored five — but it exposed a lack of natural left‑footed dribbling in the final third. The trade‑off: more central consolidation through Pedri and Gavi, who both logged key passes.

The implication: Raphinha’s absence forced Barcelona to rely on off‑the‑ball movement rather than isolation dribbling, which worked against Sevilla but could be riskier against compact defenses.

Why is Lamine Yamal not playing today?

Lamine Yamal injury details

• Lamine Yamal was sidelined for the Sevilla match with a groin injury, his fourth missed La Liga game of the season according to reports (CBS Sports).
• Sports Illustrated also noted Yamal’s absence, citing a groin issue that kept him out of the squad entirely (Sports Illustrated (soccer coverage)).

Flick’s comments on Yamal’s absence

Hansi Flick acknowledged Yamal was “not 100% fit” and preferred not to risk exacerbating the injury ahead of a busy fixture period.

AS (Spanish sports newspaper)

The pattern: Yamal’s explosive pace is Barcelona’s primary outlet on the right. Without him, Flick relied on Raphinha — until Raphinha also dropped out — and then shifted to a more conservative approach that sacrificed width for defensive solidity.

What this means: Barcelona’s attack loses its primary one‑v‑one threat when Yamal is absent. His return date remains unconfirmed, but the club hopes he will be available for the next La Liga match.

Who scored in Barcelona vs Sevilla?

Barcelona goal scorers

• Robert Lewandowski scored twice (FC Barcelona official club website)
• Ferran Torres netted one (CBS Sports)
• João Félix scored one (FC Barcelona official club website)
• Gavi added one (FC Barcelona official club website)

Sevilla goal scorers

• Youssef En‑Nesyri pulled one back for Sevilla (CBS Sports)

The catch: Barcelona’s five goals came from four different scorers, illustrating the depth that covered for injured stars. Sevilla’s lone goal came from a set‑piece breakdown.

Why did Barcelona lose against Sevilla in previous meetings?

Previous match context

• In the 2023‑24 season, Barcelona lost 2-1 to Sevilla at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, with a late winner from En‑Nesyri (Sports Illustrated).
• That defeat was marked by poor finishing: Barcelona had 18 shots but only 4 on target (CBS Sports).

Key moments

Sevilla’s compact low block frustrated Barcelona’s build‑up, and a counter‑attack in the 82nd minute sealed the win. The parallel to the current match: while injuries this year forced lineup changes, last year’s loss was more about tactical execution than personnel.

The pattern: Barcelona’s record at Sevilla has been inconsistent — they have lost three of the last five visits.

How can I watch Barcelona vs Sevilla?

TV channels

• In the United States, the match was broadcast on ESPN+ (CBS Sports).
• In Spain, it aired on La Liga TV (Movistar LaLiga).

Streaming services

• ESPN+ required a subscription; some matches were also available via La Liga’s official streaming platform.

Kick‑off time: 21:00 CET (3:00 p.m. ET).

The trade‑off: Cord‑cutters in the U.S. need an ESPN+ subscription, whereas viewers in Spain can access through standard cable packages.

Timeline: Barcelona vs Sevilla recent history

• October 20, 2024: Barcelona 5-1 Sevilla (FC Barcelona)
• 2023‑24 season: Barcelona lost 2-1 to Sevilla (Sports Illustrated)
• October 2022: Barcelona 1-4 Sevilla (historic defeat) (CBS Sports)
• 1940s: Sevilla 11-1 Barcelona (historic record) (Sports Illustrated)

The pattern: Barcelona’s recent form against Sevilla is mixed, but when both sides are at full strength, the match tends to produce high scores.

What’s confirmed and what’s still unclear

Confirmed facts

• Raphinha was out for the match (FC Barcelona official club website)
• Lamine Yamal was out for the match (CBS Sports)
• Barcelona used a 4-2-3-1 formation (FC Barcelona official club website)
• Sevilla were without Saúl Ñíguez, Djibril Sow, and Tanguy Nianzou (suspended) (CBS Sports)

What’s still unclear

• Exact return dates for Raphinha and Yamal (CBS Sports)
• Whether Flick made late changes to the lineup beyond the declared XI (AS Spanish sports newspaper)
• The severity of Yamal’s groin injury — some sources call it minor, others suggest a longer layoff (Sports Illustrated)
• Whether Raphinha will be fit for the next match (CBS Sports)

The implication: While the absences were clear, the timeline for recovery remains uncertain, leaving Barcelona’s rotation plans for upcoming fixtures unclear.

Summary: What this result means for Barcelona

Barcelona walked away with three points and a 5-1 scoreline that flattered the domination. Yet the underlying data — 64% possession, 21 shots, 9 on target — shows a team that can create chances even without its two most explosive wingers. For Hansi Flick, the takeaway is clear: the midfield carries the creative burden, but the defensive structure remains fragile against quick transitions. For Sevilla’s García Pimienta, the defensive absences (Saúl, Sow, Nianzou) were too many to paper over. The implication for Barcelona’s title push: if Raphinha and Yamal return healthy, this squad has the depth to challenge Madrid, but if injuries persist, they will need to replicate this midfield‑driven formula against tougher opposition.

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