Disjointed and Desperate Barcelona Must Work Harder to Find Recipe for Success

It could be argued that Barcelona were always going to struggle at Sevilla.

The loss of Andres Iniesta to injury during the week compounded squad issues following Lionel Messi and Rafinha's earlier withdrawals.

Sevilla were shy of seven first-teamers themselves but Unai Emery was never going to let that hamper his side's charge for glory.

At the 21st time of asking the manager would finally get the better of a Barcelona side. Coming so soon after a devastating loss to the Blaugrana in the European Super Cup, the final 2-1 scoreline would surely have pleased him.

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Emery's charges were up for the fight from the get-go. First to almost every ball and with an incessant work ethic, arguably they looked like the team in second place in La Liga at the start of play.

Barca were tepid by comparison and far too casual at times. Yes, the woodwork played a part in the final score again, Barca Numeros noting in their Twitter account that in nine of the 12 games that Barca have played they've hit either post or bar, but Luis Enrique's side didn't deserve even a share of the spoils.

"

Barcelona have hit the woodwork in 9 out of 12 games this season.

— BARÇA NÚMEROS (@barcanumbers) October 3, 2015"

It's not often that you see a Barca side struggling to string two passes together, but anyone with an eye on the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan would've seen exactly that.

By the 40th minute of the game, TV cameras would show that less than 50 passes separated both sides. Unheard of in recent seasons when the Catalans can usually be relied upon to out-pass their opponents by at least two to one.

Disjointed in all areas, a lack of a cogent attacking unit sans Messi meant that Sergio Rico's goal was rarely threatened.

At the other end of the field, the two goals conceded were from elementary defensive mistakes. Basic errors that have to be eradicated if Barca have any realistic ambitions of retaining the variety of silverware won during the last campaign.

Enrique opted to try to remain positive after the game telling reporters, per FCBarcelona.com:

"Sevilla took advantage of the chances they had. You have to congratulate Sevilla on their effort and the final result. Our game is about controlling play. We don't have the best numbers, but I'm sure that'll change in the coming games."

If those players in situ aren't willing to sweat blood for the cause, then the likelihood of better numbers is unrealistic.

Those La Masia graduates that have a clear run at the first XI over these next few weeks need to make their mark.

It's understood that the development of Munir El Haddadi and Sandro Ramirez is ongoing, however, both they and their Barca B colleagues making the step up to the senior squad have to make more of an impact.

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Both have had more than a year to hone their skills despite being used sparingly.

It's unfair to place all of the blame on such young shoulders, of course. More than once this season Barca's more experienced heads have also come up short.

Where was Jeremy Mathieu in the move that led to Sevilla's first goal, for example? Flat-footed and rooted to the spot as Kevin Gameiro waltzed past before delivering a pinpoint cross to the far post.

With an international break now upon us once again, it affords Enrique some extra time to work on the various aspects where Barca are still lacking.

All four games left in October after the internationals are winnable—but only if Barca approach them with the correct attitude and application.