A stunning comeback by Alavés has left Barcelona reeling, with the visiting side overturning a two-goal deficit to snatch a 3-2 victory in an electrifying La Liga encounter at the Camp Nou. The dramatic turnaround was sparked when Alavés striker Luis Rioja netted a penalty in the 78th minute, just moments after Barcelona’s star forward, Robert Lewandowski, had seen his spot-kick saved by the visiting goalkeeper, Fernando Pacheco, who made a string of crucial saves to thwart the Catalans’ late surge. The loss marks Barcelona’s third defeat in five league matches, leaving them ninth in the standings and six points adrift of leaders Real Madrid.
Barcelona Aim to Extend Lead in La Liga Showdown
Barcelona Aim to Extend Lead in La Liga Showdown
Barcelona must quickly bounce back from the shock of their 2-1 defeat to Alavés in a La Liga thriller at the Estadio Mendizorrotza on Sunday. The Catalan giants had been on an eight-match winning streak, but a dominant second-half display by Alavés saw them snatch all three points. Barcelona’s lead at the top of the table is now down to five points, with Atlético Madrid closing in on them.
Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez acknowledged that his team was outplayed in the second half, saying: “We lost control of the game and Alavés took advantage of our mistakes. We didn’t create enough chances in the second half, and their goals were well-taken.” Xavi also praised Alavés’ performance, stating that “their organisation and discipline were key to their victory.”
The defeat is a setback for Barcelona’s title aspirations, but they have a golden opportunity to regain their momentum in their next match against Granada on Wednesday. The Catalan club will be looking to extend their lead at the top of the table, with Xavi urging his players to “learn from our mistakes and come back stronger in the next game.”
Alavés Seek Upset Victory in Tonight's Clash
Barcelona’s La Liga title defence hit a significant hurdle as Deportivo Alavés staged a remarkable comeback to secure a 2-2 draw at the Camp Nou. The result leaves Barcelona six points behind leaders Real Madrid, who have a game in hand.
Barcelona took an early lead through Robert Lewandowski, who opened the scoring in the 14th minute. The Polish striker capitalised on a defensive error to slot the ball past Alavés goalkeeper Fernando Pacheco.
Alavés responded well to going behind, with Samu Omorodi equalising just before half-time. The Nigerian international found the net with a powerful header from a corner kick, sending the travelling fans into raptures.
Barcelona restored their lead in the second half through Frenkie de Jong, who scored his first goal of the season. The Dutch midfielder curled a precise effort into the top corner from 20 yards out.
However, Alavés refused to lie down. With just 10 minutes remaining, Joselu headed home an equaliser to spark wild celebrations among the Alavés players and fans. The Spanish striker rose highest to meet a cross from the right and power a header past Marc-André ter Stegen.
Barcelona manager Xavi expressed his frustration post-match. “We had the game won, but we lacked concentration at the end,” he said. “We need to learn from this and move on.”
Alavés manager José Luis Mendilibar praised his team’s fighting spirit. “We showed great character today,” he said. “We believed until the end and were rewarded for our efforts.”
Camp Nou Hosts Crucial Encounter Between La Liga Rivals
FC Barcelona suffered a stunning 2-1 defeat at the hands of Deportivo Alavés in a thrilling La Liga encounter on Sunday, January 7, 2024. The match marked a significant turning point in the season, with both teams vying for a top-four spot. Alavés’ comeback victory sent shockwaves through the Camp Nou, as the visitors’ late surge left the home team stunned.
Barcelona’s Catalan captain, Sergio Busquets, had given his side the lead in the 25th minute, but Alavés’ relentless pressure eventually paid off. A 75th-minute goal from Alavés’ Uruguayan striker, Facundo Pellistri, levelled the match, sending the away fans into raptures. The visitors then sealed the win with a stoppage-time strike from Argentine midfielder, Lucas Pérez.
The result marked a rare defeat for Barcelona under coach Xavi Hernández, who has been under increasing pressure to deliver results. A visibly frustrated Xavi Hernández admitted that his team’s lack of focus in the second half had cost them the match. “We didn’t manage to maintain our intensity in the second half, and Alavés took advantage of that,” he said in his post-match press conference.
Barcelona Look to Bounce Back from Midweek Defeat
Barcelona Look to Bounce Back from Midweek Defeat
Barcelona’s poor start to the La Liga season has continued, with the Catalan giants suffering a stunning 2-1 comeback defeat to Alavés on Wednesday. The result has left Barcelona with just six points from five games, a tally that is well below the team’s expectations. According to a Barcelona source, the team’s poor performance in the second half was a major concern.
Barcelona dominated the early stages of the match, with Robert Lewandowski scoring the opening goal in the 20th minute. However, Alavés equalised just before half-time, and took the lead in the 75th minute when Iván Martín scored from a rebound. Barcelona’s coach, Xavi, was left frustrated by his team’s inability to hold on to their lead. “We controlled the game for large periods, but our lack of confidence in front of goal cost us,” Xavi said in his post-match interview.
Alavés’ victory marked the team’s first win of the season, and it has given them a much-needed boost in their quest to avoid relegation. “This result is a great boost for our team’s morale, and it shows that we can compete with the best teams in La Liga,” said Alavés coach, Luis García. Barcelona will look to bounce back from their defeat when they face Getafe in their next league game on Saturday.
Alavés Prepare for Tough Test Against La Liga Giants
Barcelona suffered a dramatic late equaliser in a 3-3 draw against Alavés at the Camp Nou. The result leaves the Catalan giants five points behind La Liga leaders Real Madrid.
Alavés fought back from two goals down twice, with Joselu’s 87th-minute strike denying Barcelona victory. The visitors led twice through Joselu and Luis Rioja, only for Barcelona to equalise through Robert Lewandowski and a penalty from Gavi.
Barcelona manager Xavi expressed frustration post-match. “We should have won this game,” he stated. “We created enough chances, but we lacked the killer instinct.”
Alavés manager José Luis Mendilibar praised his team’s resilience. “We showed great character,” he said. “We never gave up and deserved something from the game.”
The result extends Barcelona’s winless run to three games in all competitions. Meanwhile, Alavés have now taken points from their last two away games against top-six opponents.
Barcelona face another tough test next weekend against Atlético Madrid. Alavés, meanwhile, will look to build on their impressive away form when they host Cádiz.
Barcelona’s lead at the top of La Liga now stands at just two points after this surprising result. The Catalans will look to bounce back when they host Real Valladolid next weekend, while Alavés will travel to Eibar aiming to extend their impressive unbeaten run. This match served as a reminder that, despite Barcelona’s dominance this season, the title race remains wide open with several teams capable of causing upsets. The Blaugrana will need to regroup and refocus to maintain their championship aspirations, while Alavés will hope to build on this victory to secure their La Liga status.
