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February 4, 2024
Barcelona, displaying remarkable resilience, emerged as 3-1 winners against Deportivo Alaves in La Liga on Saturday. Goals from Robert Lewandowski and Ilkay Gundogan on either side of half-time put Barça in control. Though Samuel Omorodion briefly gave Alaves hope by reducing the deficit, substitute Vitor Roque sealed the victory with a third goal before being sent off in a whirlwind cameo.
The win keeps Barcelona in the title race, significantly closing the gap on La Liga leaders Real Madrid and moving them above Atletico Madrid into third place. This win was crucial in their bid for the title, as it brought them closer to the top and pushed them above a direct competitor.
Despite Alaves’ early pressure, Lewandowski opened the scoring for Xavi’s side after an exquisite through ball from Gundogan. The German midfielder doubled Barcelona’s lead early in the second half with a volley before Omorodion quickly responded for Alaves.
Roque’s evening took a dramatic turn when he was given two yellow cards, limiting his team to 10 men for the final 20 minutes. As a result, he was forced to come off the bench after his goal—Barça’s third. But Barcelona held their own and came away with three vital points.
Trailing Real Madrid by 10 points, Barcelona couldn’t afford to drop points against Alaves, making this a crucial must-win to stay in the title race. Critical performances from Robert Lewandowski and Ilkay Gundogan, who provided moments of brilliance, were instrumental in securing the 3-1 victory. Lewandowski’s opener, a result of his exceptional positioning and finishing skills, and Gundogan’s second-half volley, a display of his technical prowess, restored control after a strong Alaves start. Following a patchy winter, this win suggests Barça is regaining momentum at a crucial time, moving into third place and keeping their title hopes alive.
Ilkay Gundogan was the standout performer in Barcelona’s 3-1 win over Alaves, showcasing his leadership and technical brilliance. He dictated the pace of the game, providing a perfect assist for Robert Lewandowski’s opener with a well-timed through ball and scoring a stunning volley to double Barcelona’s lead early in the second half. His composure under pressure was vital, especially when Alaves pressed aggressively, and he consistently made himself available to help his team maintain control. Gundogan’s experience and vision were instrumental in breaking down a resilient Alaves defense and stabilizing the team during tense moments, making him a key figure in securing the victory.
Alaves: Sivera 5, Tenaglia 5, Marin 5, Duarte 5, Lopez 6, Guevara 6, Blanco 5, Guridi 6, Sola 8, Omorodion 7, Rioja 6
At 18 years and 340 days old, Vitor Roque became the second-youngest player in the 21st century to score and be sent off in the exact La Liga match, behind only Fernando Torres (18 years, 179 days in 2002).
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