FULL-TIME, Alavés 1-3 Barcelona: Barça played well for an hour, then had to survive the refereeing and still found a way to win by two goals despite playing over 20 minutes with 10 men. One of the most satisfying wins of the season, and three giant points. Well done, boys!
72’ RED CARD: Barça are down to 10 men as Vitor Roque is sent off after two idiotic, undeserved yellow cards. Two truly terrible refereeing decisions that end the Brazilian’s great night after just 15 minutes.
63’ GOAL!!! Alavés 1-3 Barcelona (Roque): IT’S THREE! Barça restore their two-goal lead after a brilliant run by Lamine Yamal to start a great team move that ends with an assist by Héctor Fort and a second goal in two games for Vitor Roque!!!
59’ SUBSTITUTION: Barça may have yet another injury problem on their hands as Gündogan exits holding his back and is replaced by Vitor Roque. Hopefully it’s nothing serious and the German just has some normal fatigue and pain.
51’ GOAL, Alavés 1-2 Barcelona (Samu): Alavés are on the board. Alex Sola goes on a brilliant solo run down the right wing and his cross finds Samu Omorodion all alone to head it home and bring the hosts right back in the game.
49’ GOAL!!! Alavés 0-2 Barcelona (Gündogan): BARÇA DOUBLE THE LEAD!!! Lamine Yamal controls a long ball from the back and finds Pedri, who puts in an outrageous cross to find Gündogan and the German scores a brilliant volley! WHAT A GOAL!
SECOND HALF KICKOFF! Alavés 0-1 Barcelona: Back underway in the Basque Country!
HALFTIME, Alavés 0-1 Barcelona: A very even half with moments of danger for both sides was decided by a great team goal and a brilliant finish by Lewandowski. Barça have the lead at the break, but this one is far from over.
22’ GOAL!!! Alavés 0-1 Barcelona (Lewandowski): BARÇA TAKE THE LEAD!!! After a brilliant passing sequence down the left side the ball finds Ilkay Gündogan, who then plays a perfect through ball to Robert Lewandowski and the Pole chips the keeper to put the visitors in front! A great team goal and a brilliant finish.
KICKOFF! Alavés 0-0 Barcelona: And we’re underway at the Mendizorrotza!
WELCOME TO THE MENDIZORROTZA STADIUM!!! The cozy home of Deportivo Alavés in the Basque Country is the site of a big La Liga clash between the hosts and Barcelona, who come into this one looking for three points to keep their (remote) title hopes alive. But it won’t be easy against an Alavés side that’s won three in a row in the league and caused Barça a ton of problems in their first league meeting this season. This should be fun, and you’re welcome to join us to follow and comment all the action. Vamos!
(Note: the comments will be open only when the team news come out, because our commenter people love commenting and sometimes there are too many comments in the comments section)
LINEUPS
BARCELONA
Starting XI: Peña; Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsí, Cancelo; Christensen, De Jong; Yamal, Pedri, Gündogan; Lewandowski (4-2-3-1)
Substitutes: Astralaga (GK), Kochen (GK), Iñigo, Fort, Romeu, Casadó, Fermín, Unai, Víctor, Roque, Guiu
ALAVÉS
Starting XI: Sivera; Tenaglia, Marin, Duarte, López; Guevara, Blanco, Guridi; Sola, Samu, Rioja (4-3-3)
Substitutes: Owono (GK), Rodríguez (GK), Abqar, Muñoz, Parada, Hagi, Benavídez, Mendes, Alkain, Simeone, Rebbach, Panichelli
MATCH INFO
Competition/Round: 2023-24 La Liga, Matchday 23
Date/Time: Saturday, February 3, 2024, 6.30pm CET/WAT (Barcelona & Nigeria), 5.30pm GMT (UK), 12.30pm ET, 9.30am PT (USA), 11pm IST (India)
Venue: Mendizorrotza Stadium, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Basque Country, Spain
Referee: Juan Martínez Munuera
VAR: Mario Melero López
HOW TO WATCH
On TV: ESPN Deportes (USA), Viaplay Sports 1 (UK), SuperSport (Nigeria), Sports18 (India), TSN 5 (Canada), Not Available (Spain), others
Online: ESPN+ (USA), LaLigaTV (UK), DAZN (Spain), others
Matchday Thread Rules
We don’t have a lot of rules here, but there are a few things to keep in mind when joining our matchday threads:
Even if the referee sucks or we lose the game, watch the swearing. It’s just unnecessary. Also, don’t discuss illegal streaming links. Those who do it will be warned, and those who post links will be instantly banned. Finally, be nice to each other. This is a Barcelona community and we don’t need to offend one another.
Have fun with the game! Forever and ever, no matter the competition, VISCA EL BARÇA!
