La Liga – Matchday 12Date: November 27, 2004Fixture: Sevilla FC vs. FC BarcelonaVenue: Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, SevilleKickoff: 9:30 PMWeather: Warm with light windLa Liga Standings Before Match:
Barcelona – 27 pts – 9W / 0L / 3D
Real Madrid – 26 pts – 8W / 1L / 2D
Valencia – 24 pts – 7W / 2L / 3D
Sevilla – 22 pts – 6W / 2L / 4D
Fire in the Air
The Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán wasn't just loud — it was furious. Flares, chants, a sea of red and white bouncing as if the ground itself had a pulse.
For Messi, it was hostile territory. Unlike Old Trafford or the Bernabéu, this wasn't a clash of giants — it was a test of grit. Sevilla didn't care about legacy or reputation. They wanted blood.
And they had a secret weapon on the right.
A young, relentless Brazilian: Dani Alves.
The First Battle: Alves vs. Messi
From the start, Alves was glued to Messi. He didn't just mark him — he chased him. At one point, in the 6th minute, Messi received the ball on the right touchline. Alves didn't give him a second.
Shoulder to shoulder. Studs clashing.
Messi tried to spin. Alves read it. He lunged and took the ball cleanly.
The stadium exploded in approval.
"This boy's not scared of stars," the commentator said."He wants to become one."
Sevilla Strike First
The pressure was constant. Sevilla's midfield pressed high, forcing Xavi and Deco into rushed decisions. Jesús Navas was electric on the right, and in the 18th minute, he whipped in a cross that found Luis Fabiano between Puyol and Oleguer.
Header. Goal. 1–0. Sevilla.
Camp Nou had been silent last week. Now it was the visitors' turn.
Barcelona looked shaken.
Messi's Patience
He didn't force it.
He waited.
In the 26th minute, he drifted inside, leaving Alves slightly behind. Ronaldinho spotted it and sent a low pass toward him. Messi let it run across his body, then turned sharply and played a through ball that only Eto'o could read.
Eto'o rushed in — shot — saved.
But it was the first crack in Sevilla's shield.
The Turning Point
Halftime came with Barça trailing. Rijkaard didn't shout. He walked over to Messi and said calmly:
"Change sides. Let them chase shadows."
And so he did.
Messi moved left. Ronaldinho drifted central. Sevilla's shape broke for a moment — just enough.
In the 53rd minute, Iniesta switched the ball to Messi.
He trapped it perfectly, drew two defenders, and faked a cut inside.
They bit.
He spun wide, accelerated down the wing — past Alves.
The crowd roared in alarm.
He reached the byline, looked up, and curved a low ball toward the penalty spot.
Ronaldinho. Tap-in.
GOAL. 1–1.
The Duel Intensifies
Alves clapped his hands, nodded, and smirked.
Messi smirked back.
The next fifteen minutes became a war between them — speed, footwork, brute strength. Alves won some. Messi won more.
In the 70th minute, Alves finally misstepped — lunging too early. Messi cut inside and ran straight toward the box.
He slid a pass toward Deco, got it back, then pushed it to Eto'o.
Shot. Blocked.
Rebound fell…
Back to Messi.
One touch. Quick release.
GOAL. 2–1. Barcelona.
And now — silence in Seville.
Only the roar of the traveling fans.
Closing the Game
Sevilla didn't give up. They fought hard, pushed lines high, even hit the post in the 87th minute. But Barça held on, closing out the match with clever possession.
When the final whistle blew, Messi dropped to the grass. Not in exhaustion — but in satisfaction.
He hadn't just survived. He had conquered.
As the players shook hands, Alves approached him.
"You're a nightmare," he laughed. "One day, I want to play beside you."
Messi smiled. "You're not bad yourself."
The future — quietly written in that handshake.
Notebook Entry – November 27, 2004
Anto,Tonight was noise. And fire. And pressure.But I felt calm.They marked me with fury. I answered with patience.That Dani Alves… he's different. He won't stay in Sevilla long. I can feel it.He tested me — and I liked it.I want more of that. Every week. Every match.— Leo
La Liga Standings After Matchday 12:
Barcelona – 30 pts – 10W / 0L / 3D
Real Madrid – 29 pts – 9W / 1L / 2D
Valencia – 27 pts – 8W / 2L / 3D
Sevilla – 22 pts – 6W / 3L / 4D