Alaves 1-3 Barcelona - Xavi's side secure win on road as Robert Lewandowski, Illay Gundogan and Vitor Roque score
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Updated 03/02/2024 at 20:07 GMT
Barcelona were made to work hard, but ultimately ran out comfortable winners over Deportivo Alaves in La Liga on Saturday evening. Goals from Robert Lewandowski and Ilkay Gundogan either side of half-time had Barca in control, but Samuel Omorodion cut the and raised Alaves hopes. Vitor Roque scored Barca's third but his night ended on a sour note with a red card.
Ilkay Gundogan of FC Barcelona celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Deportivo Alaves and FC Barcelona at Estadio de Mendizorroza on February 03, 2024 in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.
Image credit: Getty Images
Barcelona kept tabs on La Liga leaders Real Madrid and moved above Atletico Madrid into third place with a 3-1 win over Deportivo Alaves.
Robert Lewandowski gave Xavi’s side the lead after keeping the home side at bay following a fast and threatening start.
Ilkay Gundogan produced an exquisite finish to double the visitors' lead four minutes into the second half, but two minutes later Alaves reduced the deficit through Samuel Omorodion.
Barcelona restored their lead through substitute Vitor Roque, who had an action-packed cameo off the bench.
After the Brazilian gave Barcelona a two-goal advantage, he was booked twice in quick succession and headed back down the tunnel just 13 minutes after his introduction.
Alaves chased the game in the final 20 minutes, but Barcelona kept their composure to seal a vital three points.
In an electric start, Alaves had threatened three times when Alex Sola had a strong penalty appeal, Omorodion had an effort deflected wide and Andreas Christensen poked away a dangerous Sola cross.
Barcelona continued to keep the home side at bay before all of Alaves’ hard work going forward was undone when a moment of brilliance from Gundogan and Lewandowski gave the visitors the lead.
Gundogan slipped a perfectly weighted through ball for Lewandowski to run onto, as he took a touch with his right foot to cut inside his defender before beautifully dinking the ball over the goalkeeper.
The second half started just as brightly as the first, but this time for Barcelona who doubled their lead when Pedri chipped a cross towards the back post for Gundogan to volley back across goal and into the far corner.
Alaves instantly hit back when Omorodion powered a header past Inaki Pena to cut the deficit within two minutes.
But it was not long until Barcelona restored their two-goal advantage when a well-worked move was finished off by Roque, who guided a low effort across goal and into the bottom right to score off the bench for a second successive match.
Just eight minutes after his goal, Roque was sent off for a second yellow card after catching a defender with his trailing leg, twice, as he eagerly chased the ball down.
Barcelona have played a game more than those around them, but with Real Madrid facing Atletico Madrid next weekend, it feels like an important win on the road for Xavi’s side in an attempt to defend their title.
Talking point - A must-win victory for Barcelona
Xavi’s side headed into the game 10 points adrift of Liga leaders Real Madrid, and a defeat on Saturday would have almost certainly spelt the end of Barcelona’s title defence.
However, the likes of Lewandowski and Gundogan stepped up when it mattered to provide two moments of pure quality which ultimately earned the visitors three points.
How crucial that might be at the end of the season remains to be seen, but Barcelona seem to be hitting form again at just the right time after a patchy winter period.
Player of the Match - Ilkay Gundogan (Barcelona)
The midfielder dictated the play throughout and is an ever-present character when his team need someone to lead the side through tricky spells under pressure.
Gundogan is that player and made everything look effortless in Saturday’s victory, including his stunning goal at a crucial moment in the game.
He also got the assist for Lewandowski’s opener, a pinpoint pass which made the forward’s life much easier as he zoned in on his own abilities to finish the job.
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VITORIA-GASTEIZ, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 03: Ilkay Gundogan of FC Barcelona celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Deportivo Alaves and FC Barcelona at Estadio de Mendizorroza on February 03, 2024 in Vitoria-Gas
Image credit: Eurosport
Match ratings
ALAVES: Sivera 5, Tenaglia 5, Marin 5, Duarte 5, Lopez 6, Guevara 6, Blanco 5, Guridi 6, Sola 8, Omorodion 7, Rioja 6
Subs: Hagi 6, Benavidez 6, Simone 6, Rebbach 6, Panichelli N/A
BARCELONA: Pena 6, Kounde 7, Araujo 7, Cubarsí 6, Cancelo 6, Christensen 6, De Jong 7, Yamal 7, Pedri 7, Gundogan 8, Lewandowski 8
Subs: Martinez N/A, Fort 6, Lopez 6, Romeu N/A, Roque 7
Match highlights
1’ - ALAVES WANT AN EARLY PENALTY! Alex Sola makes a run into the box from the right and is hauled down rashly by Pau Cubarsi, but the winger is deemed offside in the build-up.
3’ - ANOTHER GOOD CHANCE FOR THE HOSTS! Sola squares a low delivery across the six-yard box for Samuel Omorodion, but Ronald Araujo reads the pass well and gets ahead of Omorodion to clear the danger. A fast start for Alaves and Barca are on the ropes!
20’ - OMORODION FLASHES A HEADER ACROSS GOAL! The Alaves striker meets the ball at the near post from a corner and flicks an effort towards the back post, but it evades everyone and goes just wide. A heart-in-mouth moment for Barca!
22’ - GOAL!! ALAVES 0-1 BARCELONA (LEWANDOWSKI): Ilkay Gundogan slips a perfectly weighted through ball for Lewandowski to run on to, as he takes a touch with his right foot to cut inside his defender before beautifully dinking the ball over the goalkeeper. All of Alaves' hard work is undone by a moment of brilliance from Barca!
34’- BIG SAVE FROM PENA! Jon Guridi is basically all alone in the box and heads towards goal from close range, but Inaki Pena reacts well to beat it away.
49’ - GOAL!! ALAVES 0-2 BARCELONA (GUNDOGAN): Pedri chips a cross towards the back post where Gundogan volleys back across goal for Barca's second. An excellent finish!
51’ - GOAL!! ALAVES 1-2 BARCELONA (OMORODION): Sola sends in an inviting cross and Omorodion powers a header beyond Pena and into the top corner. Alaves hit straight back!
63’ - GOAL!! ALAVES 1-3 BARCELONA (ROQUE): Yamal shows an excellent change of pace as he races past Javi Lopez before finding Pedri, who helps the ball onto De Jong. Vitor Roque makes a run into the box down the left and latches onto Hector Fort's cutback as he guides the ball into the bottom right corner from the left.
72’ - RED CARD! Roque has been sent off for a second yellow in quick succession! This time he's booked for again clipping the defender with a trailing leg. A rollercoaster cameo off the bench for Roque!
Key stat
- Roque (18y 340d) is the second-youngest player to score and be sent off in the same La Liga match in the 21st century after Fernando Torres in September 2002 (18y 179d v Sevilla).
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