With João Cancelo in the eleven, Xavi’s team secures a second successive victory, this time at Alavés’ home, 3-1. They scored Lewandowski, Gundogan and the young Brazilian pearl who… was only on the field for 13 minutes
In a game marked by beautiful goals and several controversies, Barcelona achieved the second consecutive victory in La Liga, this time in Vitória, against an Alavés team that arrived at this duel motivated by the three consecutive victories that had taken the Basque team out of the relegation zone. .
With João Cancelo at the start – and without João Félix, recovering from injury – the Catalans were surprised by Alavés in the first minutes, but after moments of suffering, they took control of the situation and took the lead in a move at 22′, designed by Gundogan , who made the perfect pass for Lewandowski to dominate with his left foot and, with his right, to score the ball past goalkeeper Sivera.
Lewandowski opened the scoring with his 9th goal in La Liga 2023/2024 (Imago photo)
The home team still tried to react, creating some dangerous moments – highlighting, at 35′, Guridi’s header for a huge save by Iñaki Peña – but the result would not change until the break.
After resting, Cancelo did not return. Xavi replaced him with the young Spanish full-back Hector Fort, just 17 years old and who would still be decisive in the match.
The second half kicked off at full speed and was full of emotion. Gundogan, who had served the Polish goalscorer in the first half, scored a beautiful goal himself, in the 49th minute, with a first-time shot at the far post, after an excellent cross from Pedri.
Alavés pulled one back soon after (51′) with a point-blank header from Samu Omorodion, served by Sola. At Mendizorrota, the fans believed again. Hope, however, was short-lived.
Vítor Roque, the young 18-year-old Brazilian pearl that Barça signed from Athletico Paranaense, came on in the 59th minute and, four minutes later, made it 3-1, responding in the best way to the assist from Fort, the 17-year-old he replaced. João Cancelo.
The worst came soon after: in the 67th minute, Roque received a yellow card for elbowing an opponent and, in the 72nd minute, he was booked again, this time for an alleged foul followed by protests, and was sent off. In 13 minutes, he came in, scored and went out.
Until the end, Barcelona assumed a sacrificial personality, Alavés still tried to turn things around, but nothing else would happen.
Game over!
72′ VÍTOR ROQUE EXPULSED! The young Brazilian received a yellow card for elbowing an opponent in the 67th minute and, now, he received a second one for a (very dubious) foul on Tenaglia and the corresponding red card. In short, Roque was on the field for 13 minutes: he came on in the 59th minute, made it 3-1 in the 63rd minute and was sent off in the 72nd minute!
63′ GOLO DO BARCELONA! 1-3! Incredible: the young Brazilian Vitor Roque came on at 59′, replacing Gundogan, and already scored, with his left foot. The goal by the 18-year-old boy who the Catalans signed from Athletico Paranaense was assisted by Fort, 17. Xavi wins the bet on youth
51′ GOLO DO ALAVES! 1-2! What a start to the second half! Samu Omorodion scored with a header from close range after a pass from Alex Sola.
49′ GOLO DO BARCELONA! 0-2! Gundogan scored, with a shot in response to Pedri’s excellent cross.
46′ João Cancelo has not returned from the locker room. The Portuguese full-back was replaced by 17-year-old Hector Fort.
The second part began.
Non-Alavés-Barcelona interval (0-1)
Despite several moments of danger created by Alavés throughout the first half, Barcelona made use of Lewandowski’s efficiency and goalscoring quality to take the lead at half-time.
36′ Alavés players claim a penalty for Pedri’s alleged hand in the penalty area after Blanco’s cross. The referee signals nothing and VAR confirms the decision.
35′ Alavés! What a danger! And what a huge save from Iñaki Peña after Guridi’s header!
Lewandowski’s beautiful movement for the only goal of the match (Photo EPA/Adrian Ruiz Hierro)
Watch Lewandowski’s goal:
Green armbands to support the fight against the disease, on this World Cancer Day (photo X/FC Barcelona)
World Cancer Day
Players from both teams play with green armbands to support the fight against the disease on this World Cancer Day. The coaches also have the same armbands.
22′ GOLO DO BARCELONA! 0-1! Beautiful move by Lewandowski, receiving Gundogan’s pass with his left foot, advancing into the area and shooting over the goalkeeper with his right!
18′ After strong initial pressure from Alavés, Barça managed to regain control of the match in the last minutes, but are creating little offensively. The Basques have already retreated the lines.
11′ Here is the first moment of some danger from Barcelona: Araújo shot, Sivera saved.
6′ Samu Omorodion was again in great danger, but Iñaki Peña anticipated it. Just give Alavés!
1′ Alavés started the match at full steam and already claimed a big penalty. And it was, due to the lack of Cubarsí (Barcelona) on Sola. However, the latter was in a position to out of play.
The game started.
Deco in statements to ‘Movistar’
«The issue of injuries is worrying, we worked hard to overcome them, but the squad is short, there were a lot of games. We need to reflect to know what is really happening with regard to this matter.”
«Xavi’s announcement was a surprise. We felt bad because we were counting on him. He was part of the project. We are thinking about the future little by little. The most important thing now is to finish the season well. This is not the time for anything else.”
And there are already eleven officials:
Good afternoon, follow here, from 5.30 pm, the main incidents, the best images and videos of the decisive moments of the duel between Alavés and Barcelona, counting for the 23rd round of La Liga.
After the victory against Osasuna, in what was the Catalans’ first game after the announcement of Xavi Hernández’s decision not to continue as technical command of the Blaugrana, Barça, with João Cancelo in the eleven, but without João Félix (injured), visits the city of Vitória, in the Basque Country, where Alavés live, boosted by the three consecutive victories that led them to escape the relegation zone.