FC Barcelona’s run of twelve consecutive victories in La Liga came to an end away to relegation-threatened Deportivo Alavés in a game that meant far more to the home side than it did to Barça, although a win would still have meant the Catalans continue their push to finish the season with 100 points.
It was not the prettiest of matches. Alavés ended an uneventful first half by scoring what proved to be the only goal of the game, then gave everything to prevent Barça from finding an equaliser after the break.
Cortés debut
It was always likely that Hansi Flick would rotate his squad for this one, and there were no fewer than eight changes from the side that beat Real Madrid at the weekend to clinch the title, including a debut for Álvaro Cortés at centre-back and Wojciech Szczęsny returning in goal.
Even so, Barça fielded a strong lineup, with Marcus Rashford especially lively as the visitors created the early chances. Dani Olmo and Roony Bardghji also came close.
Behind at half-time
But while Barça lacked some of their usual intensity, Alavés certainly did not. Desperate for points to move clear of the relegation zone, the hosts gradually grew into the game. Szczęsny was called into action more and more before finally being beaten with almost the last kick of the first half.
Following a corner, Ibrahim Diabaté got the better of Marc Bernal and fired an unstoppable volley past the Polish goalkeeper.
Diabaté nearly added a second early in the second half, but Szczęsny reacted well to deny the Ivorian’s header. For long stretches, the home side seemed torn between protecting their slender lead and pushing for another goal, though they were generally more effective at the former.
Closed out
La Liga may already have been won, but Barça never enjoy losing, and as the match entered its final stages, they increased the pressure. The mood inside a packed Mendizorrotza stadium shifted from celebration to anxiety, with every tackle cheered like a goal as Barça pushed harder with each passing minute.
In the closing stages, Alavés defended deep around their own penalty area, doing everything possible to disrupt Barça’s passing rhythm and run down the clock. There were few clear chances, little flowing football, and surprisingly little stoppage time either.
When the final whistle sounded, Alavés celebrated a vital victory in their fight for survival. Barça had already done their celebrating earlier in the week, but hopes of a 100-point league campaign were now over.