Handi Flick backs Barcelona to bounce back from Sevilla hammering

Sevilla drew first blood when Alexis Sanchez converted a penalty in the 13th minute following a VAR review. Isaac Romero added a second with a swift counter in the 36th minute.

Barcelona pulled one back just before half time when Marcus Rashford volleyed home an assist from Pedri. But the rout was sealed late, Jose Angel Carmona struck in the 90th minute, and in stoppage time Akor Adams wrapped up Sevilla's victory in the 96th.

For Barcelona, a key moment came in the 76th minute when Robert Lewandowski's penalty dragged wide of the post after a foul on Alejandro Balde by Adnan Januzaj. The loss followed Wednesday's 2-1 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, making this Barca's second successive loss in all competitions.

After the match, coach Hansi Flick accepted responsibility for the first half collapse. "We have to accept this defeat and look at the positive side. In the first half we made a lot of mistakes," he said. "But in the second half we were able to react."

He defended his tactics, saying the system isn't the issue, rather, individual errors and lack of control in key zones undermined Barcelona.

Flick welcomed the upcoming international break as a chance to reset. "When the players come back from their national teams, we'll work hard to help them regain their best form."

Midfielder Pedri spoke candidly too: "We have to be self-critical, we didn't know how to attack or defend."

Barcelona will return to La Liga action on 18 October at home to Girona. Sevilla meanwhile head back into league play hosting Mallorca. They'll both be aiming to maintain momentum after a dramatic weekend in Spain.

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