Barcelona were aiming to take advantage of Real Madrid’s loss at Espanyol to go to within four points of their rivals, and they have done so, albeit without much conviction. They did not play overly well against Alaves, but they did enough to secure a 1-0 victory at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.
2024/2025 La Liga
1-0
Match Report
It was a very disappointing first half performance from the hosts, who had more yellow cards (two) than shots on target (one). They lost Gavi early on after he was involved in a very nasty clash of heads with Alaves’ Tomas Conechny, who also could not continue.
Hansi Flick attempted to change things at the interval with Eric Garcia and Frenkie de Jong being brought on for Ronald Araujo and Marc Casado, and these made a difference for Barcelona. They were noticeably more stable and more threatening in attack, and this ultimately led to the deadlock being broken on the hour mark.
It was Robert Lewandowski that has scored the opener. Pedri’s floated cross was volleyed towards goal by Lamine Yamal, and the ball deflected into the path of the Polish striker, who instinctively turned the ball into the back of the net from close range.
Alaves goalkeeper Jesus Owono was forced into action soon after to deny Barcelona a second, as Lamine Yamal’s curling effort was spectacularly tipped wide. Both clubs pushed hard to score the second goal of the match, but in the end, Lewandowski’s finish proved to be the difference in Catalonia.
The result means that Barcelona have closed to within four points of Real Madrid, and three of Atletico Madrid – and both those clubs face each other in the Madrid derby next weekend. Flick’s side will hope that they can take another step forward in the title race when they take on Sevilla at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan. The defeat for Alaves means that they stay in the relegation zone.
Match Events
0' The match is about to start!
5' Lamine almost dribbles half of the Alaves' XI and Raphinha shot goes wide
7' Yellow card for Gavi!
14' Very nasty head clash
29' Lewandowski has Lamine free on his right but he decides to shoot
34' Yellow Card! Araujo booked
39' Lamine Yamal is fouled by defender
41' Match Event for Barcelona vs Alaves
44' Pedri with a beautiful dribble and then a shot at goal but it's saved bt the GK
46' Hansi Flick takes off Araújo and Casado, replacing them with Eric and Frenkie
50' Lewandowski shooting but ref blows whistle first
55' Yellow Card! Nahuel Tenaglia booked
57' Big chance for Lewy but it was offside anyway
61' ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI HAS OPENED THE SCORE !! Barcelona 1-0 Alaves
64' Match Event for Barcelona vs Alaves
65' Great skill show from Raphinha
67' Yellow Card! Raphinha booked
73' Ferran with a great shot but it's saved
Line-ups
Barcelona XI: Szczesny, Lewandowski, Raphinha, Kounde, Araujo, Pedri, Balde, Casado, Gavi, Yamal, Cubarsi
Subs: I. Martinez, Pena, De Jong, Ferran Torres, Eric Garcia, Fati, Pau Víctor, Pablo Torre, Fermín López, Gerard Martín, Héctor Fort, Diego Kochen
Alaves XI: Kike, Guridi, Tomás Conechny, Ander Guevara, Nahuel Tenaglia, Antonio Blanco, Carlos Vicente, Moussa Diarra, Manu Sanchez, Jesús Owono, Santiago Mouriño
Subs: Aleksandar Sedlar, Asier Villalibre, A.Martínez, Carlos Protesoni, Facundo Garcés, Adrián Rodríguez, Hugo Novoa, Carlos Martín, Adrián Pica, Pau Cabanes