Defeat with debuts (3-2)

Barca have lost against Sevilla 3-2 in their rescheduled league game. Goals from Ezquerro and Sylvinho were not enough but there were first team debuts for Ludovic and Montañes.

With a team full of changes, FC Barcelona narrowly lost to Sevilla but can hold their heads high. Daniel Alves and Aitor Ocio from the penalty spot gave Sevilla a flying start but two goals in two minutes just before the break from Ezquerro and Sylvinho brought Barca back on level terms. The winner came in the 75th minute from Kepa but not before youth team players Ludovic and Montañés made their full debuts. Barca must now focus on the upcoming Champions League final on Wednesday night. The most eagerly anticipated game of this season.

A celebration of success

The game started in unusual fashion with Barca applauding their opponents onto the pitch following their emphatic UEFA Cup victory on Wednesday and then Sevilla doing the same to congratulate FC Barcelona on winning the league. The fans in the Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium exploded in delight before the game had even kicked off. When the game did start, the football continued in party spirit and the game was entertaining right from the off. Maxi had the best of the early chances in the 11th minute and his brilliant solo effort following a one-two with Larsson needed a better finish to do it justice.

Goals in quick bursts

The game turned on its head in two minutes. In the 20th minute, Daniel Alves opened the scoring with an unstoppable drive from 20 yards that flew past Jorquera and into the top corner. In their very next attack Sevilla had made it two when the ref awarded a penalty for Bellettis foul on Puerta. Aitor Ocio did the rest from the spot and all of a sudden it was 2-0 to the home team.

But, much in the same way, Barca hit back with two sucker punches in two minutes. First Ezquerro met Bellettis inch-perfect cross to head in the 2-1 and then Sylvinho surprised everyone, especially Palop in the Sevilla goal, with a cross-shot to level the game. In two minutes, FC Barcelona were back in it.

Return to normality

In the break, Frank Rijkaard switched Oleguer for Iniesta with Motta dropping to centre-back alongside Rodri. As a result Barca had more of the ball in the centre of the park, Xavi Hernandez enjoying himself playing again. FC Barcelona were dominating proceedings without threatening their rival's goal. Sevilla gave an early warning that they were still dangerous: Kepa having a goal disallowed for off-side and Rijkaard decided to make more changes giving debuts to Ludovic first for Sylvinho and then, a few minutes later, Montañes for Henrik Larsson who had played his last league match for Barca.

Kepa breaks the deadlock

As the game looked to be heading for a draw and with the crowd nosily celebrating the UEFA Cup victory, up popped Kepa to head home a winner from Daniel Alves' cross. There was time for another in the dying moments but the 3-2 win was enough to keep the home team's Champions League aspirations alive. The game finished on a disappointing note for Gabri, who was sent off for arguing with the referee and will miss the game against Athletic Bilbao. Now for the Champions League final in Paris on Wednesday.

Goals

1-0, Daniel Alves (min. 20)
2-0, Aitor Ocio (pen.) (min. 22)
2-1, Ezquerro (min. 40)
2-2, Sylvinho (min. 42)
3-2, Kepa (min. 75)