Alaves vs Barcelona: Match Highlights & Report
A pulsating encounter at the Estadio Mendizorrotza saw Barcelona snatch a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Alaves in La Liga. The Catalans dominated possession but were forced to fight tooth and nail for the three points against a resilient Alaves side.
Match Highlights:
- Barcelona took the lead in the 20th minute through a stunning free-kick from Pedri. The midfielder's curling effort left the Alaves goalkeeper with no chance.
- Alaves levelled the score just before half-time through a well-taken goal from Luis Rioja. The winger found himself unmarked in the box and slotted the ball past Marc-André ter Stegen.
- Barcelona regained the lead in the 74th minute when Raphinha headed home a cross from Ousmane Dembélé. The Brazilian's goal proved to be the winner as Barcelona held on for a vital victory.
Key Talking Points:
- Barcelona's midfield dominance: Barcelona controlled the game with their impressive midfield play. Pedri and Frenkie de Jong were particularly influential, dictating the tempo and creating chances for their teammates.
- Alaves' resilience: Despite being outplayed for much of the match, Alaves showed great resilience and fought hard to earn a point. They were well organized defensively and posed a constant threat on the counter-attack.
- Barcelona's attacking threat: While they lacked their usual fluidity, Barcelona still managed to create a number of clear-cut chances. Dembélé and Raphinha were particularly dangerous on the wings, causing problems for the Alaves defense.
Player Ratings:
Barcelona:
- Pedri (9/10): A standout performance from the midfielder. His stunning free-kick put Barcelona ahead and he controlled the game throughout.
- Raphinha (8/10): Another impressive display from the Brazilian. He was a constant threat on the wing and scored the winning goal.
- Ousmane Dembélé (7/10): Created a number of chances and provided the assist for Raphinha's goal.
Alaves:
- Luis Rioja (8/10): Scored a fantastic goal and worked tirelessly throughout the match.
- Javier Mendes (7/10): A solid performance from the centre-back. He kept Barcelona's attackers at bay for long stretches of the game.
- Abdoulaye Diouf (6/10): A tireless effort in midfield but struggled to contain Barcelona's attacking play.
Conclusion:
Barcelona's victory against Alaves was a hard-fought affair. The Catalans were ultimately the better team but they had to work for their victory. This result keeps Barcelona firmly in the title race, while Alaves will be disappointed to have dropped points at home.
