Sevilla looked to be at their best at the Estadio Sanchez Pizjuan on Saturday, twice taking the lead against Barcelona, but Lionel Messi conjured up a hat-trick to see Barcelona take the three points.
The No.10 scored his 34th, 35th and 36th goals against Sevilla, leading Pablo Machin to remark that the forward must love this fixture.
"We faced one of the best teams in the world and the best player in the world, who has got our number and seems to have taken a special liking to us," Machin commented after the game when facing the press.
It was a frustrating game for the coach, who saw his team begin the game superbly only to fade late on.
"In the end, the result is all that matters when, once again, we had a chance to win," he claimed.
"It's something to correct, I tell them that we have the chance to score a goal until the very last minute."
The coach felt optimistic about the performance, though, even in spite of the end result.
"Despite the bitter feeling of not having been able to win, we have done a lot of things well in the game," he insisted.
"The players are 99 percent empty, from there I can't say much more to them."
Fortunately for Machin, Sevilla will now enjoy a full week of rest before facing Huesca in the first weekend of March.
KoyeGunMan
163
He doesn't like playing against you he likes playing against white kits
Longlife2000
110
Messi’s heat-map vs Sevilla! 🙈
peeclprsy
74
Someone said Messi knows only how to score against / for same team and that he should go and do it for his National team. Now check this out probably you don't know or you forgot, Argentina national team was not supposed to qualify for the last world cup if not for Messi. Big thanks to God that he sent Messi to Argentina to rescue them from what would have been the most shameful issue in football history. Messi scored hat trick to book a slot for Argentina at the world cup. GOAT... DJ Bigsam.
JmoneyZ
57
with the way I see things I think some Barca haters always see negativity in anything yhta concerns barca!
IsaacsQarterTomorrow
49
the confession of a Real Madrid fan [Bear][Bear]
samhain10
30
sorry Sevilla like I commented day before yesterday , Marcelo of LYON had made our king in rage and before the second leg every team will face his wrath. sad for RM too they will lose 2 classico match coz of MARCELO OF LYON.