Barcelona have been aiming to benefit from to go to inside 4 factors of their rivals, and so they have accomplished so, albeit with out a lot conviction. They didn’t play overly properly towards Alaves, however they did sufficient to safe a 1-0 victory on the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.
It was a really disappointing first half efficiency from the hosts, who had extra yellow playing cards (two) than pictures on the right track (one). They misplaced Gavi early on after he was concerned in a really nasty conflict of heads with Alaves’ Tomas Conechny, who additionally couldn’t proceed.
Hansi Flick tried to alter issues on the interval with Eric Garcia and Frenkie de Jong being introduced on for Ronald Araujo and Marc Casado, and these made a distinction for Barcelona. They have been noticeably extra secure and extra threatening in assault, and this finally led to the impasse being damaged on the hour mark.
I that has scored the opener. Pedri’s floated cross was volleyed in direction of aim by Lamine Yamal, and the ball deflected into the trail of the Polish striker, who instinctively turned the ball into the again of the web from shut vary.
Alaves goalkeeper Jesus Owono was compelled into motion quickly after to disclaim Barcelona a second, as Lamine Yamal’s curling effort was spectacularly tipped extensive. Each golf equipment pushed exhausting to attain the second aim of the match, however ultimately, Lewandowski’s end proved to be the distinction in Catalonia.
The outcome implies that Barcelona have closed to inside 4 factors of Actual Madrid, and three of Atletico Madrid – and each these golf equipment face one another within the Madrid derby subsequent weekend. Flick’s facet will hope that they will take one other step ahead within the title race after they tackle Sevilla on the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan. The defeat for Alaves implies that they keep within the relegation zone.
