Frenkie de Jong’s late winner against Deportivo Alaves gives Barcelona a much-needed win.
This was an incredibly difficult game for the visitors despite Alaves entering this one in the relegation zone.
The first half was a tight affair with few chances – Pique missed a close-range header, but there weren’t many openings.
And the second half followed a similar pattern: Barcelona dominated possession.
But struggled to create as the hosts grew into the game.
Alaves could have taken the lead through Joselu when his late header flew wide, but it was Barcelona who snatched the points.
When Frenkie de Jong turned in Torres’ selfless squared pass.
Mendez missed a late chance to equalise, but the visitors held on for an important win.
Starting Lineup:
DEPORTIVO ALAVES (4-5-1): Fernando Pacheco;
Martin Aguirregabiria, Victor Laguardia, Florian Lejeune, Javi Lopez;
Jason, Gonzalo Escalante, Tomas Pina, Pere Pons, Luis Rioja;
Joselu.
SUBS: Matt Miazga, Miguel De la Fuente, Mamadou Sylla Diallo,
Tachi, Facundo Pellistri, Ivan Martin, Antonio Sivera,
Edgar Mendez, Toni Moya, Manu Garcia.
BARCELONA (4-3-3): Marc-Andre ter Stegen;
Sergino Dest, Gerard Pique, Ronald Araujo, Jordi Alba;
Frenkie de Jong, Sergio Busquets, Pedri;
Ferran Torres, Luuk de Jong, Abdessamad Ezzalzouli.
SUBS: Alejandro Balde, Riqui Puig, Clement Lenglet,
Ferran Jutgla, Arnau Tenas, Nicolas Gonzalez,
Martin Braithwaite, Dani Alves, Oscar Mingueza, Neto.
Goals:
0-1. Barcelona takes the lead late on. Alba cuts inside and curls in a beautiful cross to the back post.
Torres latches onto it and squares it across the goal where an unmarked Frenkie de Jong is waiting to slot it in from six yards.
There’s some controversy as De Jong was initially offside when the cross came in.
But the referee has judged that De Jong was onside when Torres intervened and the goal stands.
So, what’s next for Deportivo Alaves and Barcelona?
Deportivo Alaves will be facing Elche in La Liga, Meanwhile, Barcelona will face Atletico Madrid in La Liga.
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