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Sevilla took full advantage of Lionel Messi’s absence, beating Barcelona 2-0 in the first leg of the Copa del Rey quarterfinals on Wednesday. Pablo Sarabia and Wissam Ben Yedder scored in the second half to give Sevilla a big edge in the rematch of last year’s final, which Barcelona won for its fourth straight Copa title. Sevilla also lost the 2016 final to its Catalan rival.
The second leg will be next week in Barcelona, when the hosts are expected to have Messi and the other regular starters who were rested in Seville.
“When you make changes you take risks,” Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde said. “But I don’t regret it, it’s what had to be done. Last season we paid the price for our participation in the Copa. This year we think it’s best to make more changes.”
The second leg will be next week in Barcelona, when the hosts are expected to have Messi and the other regular starters who were rested in Seville.
“When you make changes you take risks,” Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde said. “But I don’t regret it, it’s what had to be done. Last season we paid the price for our participation in the Copa. This year we think it’s best to make more changes.”