Barcelona boss Luis Enrique admitted his tactical change at half time during Sunday night's match with Sevilla was the key factor in their victory over last season's Europa League winners, reportedESPN.
Vitolo had put the hosts ahead in the opening 15 minutes, but Lionel Messi scored his 500th goal for Barcelona prior to the break, before setting up Luis Suarez to slot home the game's winning goal on the hour. Enrique though believed that creating an extra man in midfield was a big reason for their turnaround.
Lionel Messi for @FCBarcelona:
Games: 592 👊
Goals: 500 ⚽�
Assists: 268 🎯
The Greatest of All-Time. 👑 pic.twitter.com/B8zFAQ3Tve
He said:"We changed the shape at half-time, pushing Sergi Roberto into midfield and that allowed us to generate more superiority in midfield.
"Sometimes it was Sergi Roberto in there, other times it was [Samuel] Umtiti, depending on what benefited us best at the time. But that's how we were able to find Leo Messi more and create more chances.
"It was a great game. I thought it would be as it was a match between two teams that are attacking and take risks.We had chances at the beginning of the game but nothing came of them, with Luis and Neymar making a mess of one, which doesn't usually happen.
�🎥 Luis Enrique: "It's a win that strengthens us as a team": https://t.co/nirm6jqIC4 #FCBlive #SevillaFCB pic.twitter.com/hQLL12CNON
"Then Sevilla scored and they had other chances, too. But the goal at the end of the first half helped us back into the game and we were great in the second half. We deserved to win and could even have killed the game of earlier.
"We knew how difficult it would be, but the state of the pitch, which didn't help either team, and the pressing from Sevilla made everything even more difficult.
"It was a big test and it showed what the players are made of. We know what usually happens to the big teams after Champions League weeks and I'm really happy with the victory. These type of wins strengthen you even more."
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