VITORIA-GASTEIZ, SPAIN – OCTOBER 06: Robert Lewandowski of FC Barcelona celebrates scoring his teams second goal with team mate Lamine Yamal during the LaLiga match between Deportivo Alaves and FC Barcelona at Estadio de Mendizorroza on October 06, 2024 in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
Table-toppers Barcelona got back to winning ways in LaLiga after a resounding 3-0 win over Deportivo Alaves on Sunday evening.
LALIGA
Result: Alaves 0-3 Barcelona
Date: 06 October 2024
Venue: Estadio de Mendizorroza
Barca kept more or less the same line-up that demolished Young Boys 5-0 in the UEFA Champions League League, as Ferran Torres, Raphinha and Lamine Yamal shadowed lone striker Robert Lewandowski up top.
Hansi Flick’s charges had a perfect start after Lewandowski gave them the lead with only seven minutes on the clock with a header from a free-kick delivery by Raphinha.
The Blaugrana gained momentum and midway through the first stanza, the same combination was responsible for their second goal, after Lewandowski tucked home a cross by Raphinha and got his brace, after the Brazilian eliminated his markers on the wing.
Everything was going Barcelona’s way, as just after the half-hour mark, Lewandowski made it 3-0 and completed his hat-trick with a scuffed effort in the box after a through ball by Eric Garcia.
Alaves thought they had reduced the deficit by one goal on the stroke of half-time after Toni Martinez headed home a cross by Nahuel Tenaglia but the goal was disallowed for offside.
The hosts were spirited from the interval, as five minutes into the second stanza Martinez was unfortunate again, as his goal-bound shot came off the base of the post.
The Catalan giants were threatening to run riot on transitions but on 67 minutes, Flick was comfortable enough to substitute Yamal and brought on Anssumane Fati for fresh legs.
Alaves did not drop down their heads but the writing was on the wall in the dying minutes as Santiago Mourino had a goal ruled out for offside.
Flick’s troops settled for a three-point lead at the top of the table and over second-placed Real Madrid ahead of the international break.
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