Barcelona Edge Past Alaves to Keep Title Hopes Alive

Barcelona secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Alaves at Montjuïc, grinding out three crucial points in their pursuit of La Liga leaders Real Madrid. Despite a subdued performance, the Catalan giants reduced the gap at the top to just four points, thanks to a clinical second-half strike from Robert Lewandowski.

The Polish striker, ever the poacher, made the difference in a game where clear-cut chances were at a premium. Barca struggled to break down a disciplined Alaves defense, posting a modest expected goals (xG) tally of 0.95. However, their visitors offered little attacking threat, finishing with a remarkably low xG of just 0.09 and failing to register a single shot on target.

While Barcelona’s attacking fluidity remained inconsistent, their defensive resilience was notable, as they recorded a rare clean sheet. Given their recent struggles at the back, shutting out Alaves will be seen as a step in the right direction.

Next up for Flick’s side is a Copa del Rey clash with Valencia, a team they recently dismantled in a stunning 7-0 victory. This upcoming fixture presents an opportunity to build momentum as they continue their chase for silverware on multiple fronts. Meanwhile, Alaves will turn their attention to a crucial La Liga encounter against Getafe, as they fight to secure top-flight survival.

With Real Madrid still leading the title race, Barcelona must maintain their winning run and rediscover their attacking spark if they are to mount a serious challenge for the championship.