On Tuesday, December 21st, 2021 Sevilla was eventually held to a draw at home by Barcelona with a final tally of 1 to 1 during a game in which the hosts (Sevilla) had to finish the match with 10 – men following their defender, Jules Kounde, getting sent off the pitch with a direct red card. Kounde was thrown out of the contest with a rare direct red card for throwing the football into an opposing player’s face. This was a wild one!
Papu Gómez pushed Sevilla in front of Barca during the 32nd – minute while rain steadily fell upon the pitch of Sánchez Pijuán field. Ronald Araújo headed in Ousmane Dembele’s corner – kick to score an equalizing goal for Barcelona just prior to the halftime whistle.
This hard – fought match was intensely dead – locked at 1 to 1 during the 64th – minute of play when Kounde completely lost his cool. Following the Barcelona defenseman, Jordi Alba, continuously bumping him in the back as he was playing a ball from going out of bounds, Kounde scooped up the football and violently flung it into Alba’s face from pretty close range. The referee wasted no time to whip out his red card and show Kounde off of the pitch.
Now with a 10 – man Sevilla squad on the field, Barcelona consistently increased their possession. Only the iron saved Sevilla’s ass when Dembele just so happened to curl a nice shot off of the far post with just 6 – minutes left to play in this Spanish LaLiga League match.
This disappointing result for the 2nd – place Sevilla leaves them 5 – big points in back of the Spanish LaLiga League – leader Real Madrid. Real Madrid will visit Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday, December 22nd, 2021 in a game that will have to be played without multiple footballers on both sides because of the COVID – 19 positive tests that will affect both teams tomorrow.
After Tuesday’s match vs. Sevilla Barcelona remains in 7th – place in the Spanish LaLiga League as Barca is just 2 – points from the 4th – place spot on the LaLiga table as well as the Champions League spots too.
Media Statements
“It was uphill after the sending off,” Papu Gómez recalled. “I am sure (Kounde) is angry and disappointed. When you make a mistake like that you feel horrible. He will take a look at what he did and make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
“The team is competing, it is improving, so I leave feeling proud of my team,” the head coach of the Barcelona football club, Xavi Hernández, explained emotionally. “But we are not happy with the result. Today was a day to win and move into the Champions League zone.”
Sources:
Wilson, Joseph. “10 – man Sevilla held 1 – 1 by Barcelona, Kounde sent off”. The Associated Press. December 21, 2021.
“Spanish LaLiga Table 2021 – 22”. ESPN. December 21, 2021.