Maybe Barcelona aren't as bad as they seem...

It wouldn't be wise to talk about encouraging signs or to say that Barcelona can fight for silverware this season. There's a lot of work to be done there still, but away at Sevilla on Tuesday they showed some good.

Xavi Hernandez's men left a good impression of themselves at the Estadio Sanchez Pizjuan, with the youngsters again playing a starring role but with a No.9 still missing.

Barcelona, though, looked like a team in Andalusia. They drew and could well have won. That must mean something.

The Lopetegui template

Papu Gomez's goal was perfectly finished but had coach Julen Lopetegui's stamp all over it. A well-worked set piece found the Argentine unmarked and able to finish, making Barcelona pay for some slack defending.

Araujo Airlines

The Uruguayan's jump is breathtaking, and he put on a demonstration of how to leap on Tuesday. His goal came just at the right time, and meant so much on a psychological level beyond the scoreline.

Kounde's short temper

Jules Kounde lost his cool and left his teammates a man down with a lot of football to play. He three the ball at Jordi Alba's face in an incredible overreaction that saw him given his marching orders. It's hard to imagine his teammates of Lopetegui will be pleased with him.

Abde the dagger

He's at times fortunate and at others a little inconsistent, but Abde Ezzalzouli loves to get forward and his change of pace is a real weapon for Barcelona. We'll see what happens with him when Ansu Fati returns, but Barcelona have a player who can offer something in Abde.

Dembele again

Ousmane Dembele had another good game and was denied a goal only by the post. He had come close previously before his shot bounced back off the upright, forcing the Pizjuan to hold its breath.

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