Two years ago, Barcelona met Sevilla in the Copa del Rey final. Since then, the Andalusians have changed coach three times, and overhauled their entire squad to the extent that only four starters from that day remain at the club.
Barcelona have also changed coach, and Ernesto Valverde will be determined to secure the first trophy of his tenure on the bench at the Camp Nou.
The Catalans have the luxury of being able to choose from a virtually fully fit squad. Though Lionel Messi, Gerard Pique, Sergio Busquets and Ivan Rakitic are all carrying knocks, they will be expected to play.
Barcelona have the experience to be able to treat this just like any other match – it’s their fifth final in a row - and that, perhaps more than anything else, could tip the scales in their favour.
Valverde’s side won’t panic, even if they go a goal behind. That’s happened on nine occasions so far this season, and each time Barcelona have come back to get at least a point, or the win required.
Simon Kjaer’s untimely hamstring strain is the only problem that will be keeping Celta coach Vincenzo Montella up at night.
The Andalusians have blown hot and cold since the Italian began his stint at the club, but they showed in the recent La Liga game between the teams that they’ve got Barca’s number.
It’s true that once Messi came on, a shift occurred, but Montella will have done his homework this time. Not quite at his optimum level, the Argentinian has been crowded out in a few matches and as a result, his influence has been far from what’s expected.
Early pressure from the Blaugrana could reap dividends. When Sevilla played at Real Madrid a couple of months ago, they were five down before half time. Ditto Eibar who were three up against them in 30 minutes.
The score line at the Bernabeu came about because Los Blancos got at their full backs and dominated aerially in the box, and that continues to be Sevilla’s Achilles heel.
Therefore, a lot will be expected of Jordi Alba and either Nelson Semedo or Sergi Roberto, depending what formation Valverde settles on.
A Rakitic/Busquets double pivot has proved adept at shielding the Barca defence, and it will be needed again here given that Samuel Umtiti is experiencing his worst form since arriving at the club.
Sevilla can, and will, raid down the wings, but the rampaging runs of Steven Nzonzi are what will cause Barcelona most problems.
As he marauds centrally, the tendency is not to focus on Ever Banega. The Argentinian proved in the league game how easy it was for him to then find pockets in between midfield and defence, and supply the bullets to the front men.
With Wissam Ben Yedder and/or Luis Muriel tasked with scoring the goals to bring Sevilla the trophy, we can expect almost as many chances as were seen at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan. These two livewires will give everything in their pursuit of glory.
However, Barcelona have Messi, and with him in the mood, anything is possible.
We’re in for a cracker.
