The Japan Times - Barca rout Sevilla to maintain title charge

Robert Lewandowski, Lopez, Raphinha and Eric Garcia struck for the Catalans, who were able to capitalise on leaders Real Madrid's 1-1 draw with second-placed Atletico Madrid on Saturday.

Hansi Flick's Barca climbed within two points of Los Blancos and moved one behind Atletico to crank up the tension in the title race.

"I really appreciate our performance, we did well in the first half and in the second half we fought for these three points," Flick told DAZN.

"We pressed high, the intensity was really good from us... and in the end it was a good lesson to play in a 4-4-1 and defend like that."

Lewandowski's early strike was cancelled out by Sevilla's Ruben Vargas, with Lopez and Raphinha pouncing early in the second half.

Lopez was sent off for a high tackle but Barcelona held out and extended their lead when Garcia nodded home late on.

"Today we had to win to stay in the title race and now we're putting the pressure on," Barca defender Inigo Martinez told DAZN.

"I think the team played a brilliant match and this is the way forward. If we stay secure and solid at the back, up front we all know what our forwards are capable of."

The match at Sevilla's Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan stadium got off to an explosive start with teenage winger Lamine Yamal forcing Sevilla goalkeeper Orjan Nyland into a superb save with a curling effort.

Barcelona took the lead moments later from the resulting corner, played short, with Raphinha eventually crossing for Martinez to nod the ball across goal.

Veteran Polish striker Lewandowski prodded home from close range after seven minutes to reach 19 league goals and extend his lead as the division's top goalscorer.

Sevilla were level almost instantly, with Ronald Araujo playing Saul Niguez onside and the Spaniard crossed for Vargas to turn home in the eighth minute.

Araujo's unfortunate evening was compounded by an injury sustained when fouled by Saul, with Pau Cubarsi replacing him in the 22nd minute.

- Lopez's short stay -

Barca stopper Wojciech Szczesny made a good save from an acrobatic Dodi Lukebakio effort as the hosts, 13th, gave as good as they got in the first half.

Flick sent on Lopez at half-time for Gavi and the midfielder scored and got sent off within the space of 15 minutes.

Lopez netted at the start of the second half, heading home from playmaker Pedri's inviting cross.

Vargas netted from an offside position at the other end before Raphinha extended Barcelona's lead with a vicious effort from distance in the 55th minute.

Lopez was dismissed for a rash high challenge on Djibril Sow on the hour mark, leaving the Catalans the job of protecting their lead with a man fewer.

Szczesny saved low from Suso's drive but Sevilla created little else of note as Barcelona largely kept the Andalucians at arm's length.

Garcia nodded home at the far post in the final stages as Raphinha's deflected cross fell kindly to him to wrap up Barcelona's emphatic victory.

Earlier Valencia earned an important 2-0 win over Leganes to give Los Che hope in their bid to avoid relegation.

Mouctar Diakhaby scored Valencia's second goal, his first after returning from a severe knee injury in January, nearly a year since he last played.

"After everything I've been through, it was very special," said the centre-back.

"I thought about the moment of the injury, how hard I've worked and my family who were very affected by it."

Valencia climbed to 18th, with Alaves dropping to 19th after a 1-0 defeat at home against Getafe.

Espanyol, 16th, were left only one point above the drop zone after a 2-1 defeat at Real Sociedad.

Y.Ishikawa--JT