In their home game against Deportivo Alaves, FC Barcelona appeared vulnerable defensively and ultimately had goalkeeper Joan Garcia to thank for conceding only one goal. Goals from Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo were enough for a 3-1 victory.
Barca coach Hansi Flick made five changes to his starting lineup after the 3-0 defeat to Chelsea in the Champions League. Araujo, Koundé, de Jong, Fermin and Ferran Torres were replaced by Martin, Casado, Bernal, Dani Olmo and Raphinha, who was back in the starting lineup for the first time since the end of September after his injury.
However, the many changes did not give the Catalans the desired security at the start of the game. Garcia in the Barca goal had to pick the ball out of his net in the first minute after Pablo Ibanez pushed the ball over the line following a corner (1′). And the visitors almost extended their lead in the next move, but Abde Rebbach shot just wide (2′).
Barca quickly recovers from disastrous start
Flick’s team did not seem shocked by the disastrous start. In the 8th minute, Lamine Yamal was on hand to score the equalizer after a pass from the lively Raphinha. However, the Catalans were unable to get their defensive vulnerabilities under control, and it was only thanks to Garcia that Jonny did not score again for Alaves in the 26th minute. Dani Olmo then turned the game on its head with a quick counterattack, again assisted by Raphinha. The former Leipzig player scored with the inside of his right foot to make it 2-1.
It would not have been surprising if Alaves had scored a second goal before the break, but the visitors failed to take their chances, with Boyé missing the best opportunity (45+2). Barca therefore almost went into the break with a two-goal lead, which would not have been deserved, but Lamine Yamal hit the right post with a huge chance (44′).
More stability in the second half
At the start of the second half, Hansi Flick made a double substitution: Rashford and Koundé came on for Bernal and Eric. These changes had an effect, and Barca were no longer as vulnerable. The game became one-sided, with the home side not putting too much pressure on their opponents at first. Lewandowski had his first good chance in the 57th minute, but his header from a corner was not well placed. Alaves hardly got out of their own half, and Lamine Yamal thrilled the Camp Nou crowd after coming on for Pedri, who replaced the impressive Raphinha and celebrated his comeback after a month’s break, with an almost dream goal: However, his curling shot after a lay-off from Pedri went just over the left-hand corner (65′). Just a few minutes later, the visitors were lucky that Dani Olmo failed to connect properly with the ball at the penalty spot after a pass from Koundé (71′). This kept Alaves in the game.
Barca left to sweat it out in the end
And in the closing stages, FC Barcelona were almost punished for their sloppiness in front of goal: first, Boyé brought the visitors back into the game with a good chance in the 77th minute – Cubarsi intervened at the last moment – and then Guridi had a huge opportunity to equalize. However, the substitute failed to beat Garcia when he was free in front of goal, who thus saved Barca the victory (85′). Shortly before the end, Dani Olmo sealed the deal with his second goal, assisted by Lamine Yamal (90’+3). This puts the Catalans temporarily at the top of the table, as Real Madrid do not play until Sunday.
Barcelona are back in league action on Tuesday (9 p.m.), when they face Atletico Madrid in their rescheduled 19th matchday fixture. Alaves play away against Club Portugalete in the second round of the cup on the same day (7 p.m.).
