2024-10-06
Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski Barca cemented their lead with three first-half goals in Vitoria this Sunday, beating Deportivo Alaves 0-3.
The way was quickly paved for the visitors who took the lead after 7 minutes and by the 32nd minute they had already scored three goals.
The Barcelona team banished the ghosts of their defeat against Osasuna at El Sadar in a very intense game, similar to the other clashes they played before coming to Pamplona.
Alaves didn't give up, with two goals disallowed for offside and one post blocking another, but Antonio Chievara was outstanding as he prevented a wide margin in a third successive defeat for Albiazuls.
There was movement from the first moments of the collision. An assistant disallowed a Barça goal for offside after 4 minutes, then Hansi Flick replaced Ferran Torres with Erik Garcia.
Barcelona took the lead three minutes later when Robert Lewandowski headed home Robinha's excellent free kick.
The goal came without time for both teams to settle on the pitch. Alaves had to control Barcelona's direct play, emphasizing Lamine Yamal's wing and probing the back of the local defence.
Some misgivings from Inaki Pena on Papasoros' attempts inspired Luis García Plaza's men, although they were unable to get a shot on target.
On one of those visits, Barcelona won the ball back and Albiazulz couldn't stop a commanding counterattack from Rabinha, who slotted the ball into the back of the net for Lewandowski.
The locals did not change their tactics and kept their defense forward, which tried to break the Blaugranas.
The Catalans managed to extend their lead before the first half-hour, but Antonio Chievara denied Barcelona a double chance with a brutal strike.
However, the Polish striker was a nightmare for the local defence. He got into the area and on 32 minutes he sealed the game with his third goal.
Alaves tried. He took five corner kicks in the first half and Inaki managed to beat the pen in the 45th minute, but the goal was disallowed on VAR's request due to an earlier offside earlier in the game.
Stoichkov could have scored before the break, but his dribble went too long past the Barça goalkeeper.
It was a very lively first half, with Petrie even managing to score a fourth goal, soloing at the far post from a corner kick.
After passing the locker room, Luis García Plaza changed his defence, and on the first corner kick he received, Toni Martinez hit the ball against Inági Pena's post.
Alaves tried and Barça insisted on slowing the game down with more control and less direct play, but the chances came.
Antonio Chievara reappeared to block Lewandowski's fourth and Anzu Fati hit the post in another spark for Barcelona, who had better control at one stage and took the game with authority.
– Technical Paper:
0 – Alaves: Chivera; Tenaglia (Diara, min.46), Moreno, Abkar (Pica, min.67), Manu Sanchez; Guevara, Blanco (Jordan, min.78); Carlos Vicente, Stoichkov (Konegni, min.57), Apte; and Tony Martinez (Kike, min.57).
3 – FC Barcelona: Inaki Pena; Castle (Koundé, min.67), Cubarsí, Martínez, Balde; Casadó, Pedri, Raphina; Ferran Torres (Eric Garcia, min.6), Yamal (Fati, min.67) and Lewandowski.
goals: 0-1, min.7: Lewandowski. 0-2, min.22: Lewandowski. 0-3, min.32: Lewandowski.
Referee: Ortiz Arias (Madrid School). He cautioned local players Tengalia (31 min) and Moreno (54 min) and visitor Inigo Martinez (54 min).
incidents: Matchday nine of LaLiga EA Sports was played in front of 19,468 spectators (absolutely) at the Mendisorosa stadium in Vitoria.
