Ilkay Gundogan played a starring role as Barcelona beat Alaves in their first La Liga game since Xavi announced he will step down as boss in the summer.
Barca went in front when Robert Lewandowski latched on to Gundogan’s pass to dink the ball in.
Gundogan then fired in to double their lead after the break, before Samu Omorodion’s header made it 2-1.
Substitute Victor Roque sealed victory when he converted Hector Fort’s cross, only to be sent off nine minutes later.
The 18-year-old Brazilian picked up two yellow cards in quick succession, but Barcelona were able to see out the final 18 minutes with 10 men for their third successive win in La Liga.
Barca remain third in the table, seven points behind leaders Real Madrid.
Line-ups
Alavés
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1severe
- 14PincerSubstituted forHagiat 77′minutes
- 16Marin
- 3Duarte
- 27López
- 8BlancoSubstituted forBenavidezat 77′minutes
- 6Guevara
- 7SolaBooked at 90mins
- 18Go aheadSubstituted forSimeoneat 63′minutes
- 11RiojaSubstituted forRebbachat 63′minutes
- 32OmorodionBooked at 12minsSubstituted forPanichelliat 88′minutes
Substitutes
- 5Abqar
- 10Hagi
- 17Alkain
- 20Simeone
- 21Rebbach
- 23Benavidez
- 29Panichelli
- 30Mendes
- 31That one
- 33Rodríguez
- 36Muñoz
- 44Stop
Barcelona
Formation 4-3-3
- 13Peña Sotorres
- 23Koundé
- 4Araújo
- 33CubarsiSubstituted forRomeoat 83′minutes
- 2I cancelSubstituted forFortat 45′minutes
- 21F de Jong
- 15ChristensenSubstituted forMartínezat 82′minutes
- 22GündoganSubstituted forRoque Ferreiraat 59′minutesBooked at 72mins
- 27Yamal
- 9Lewandowski
- 8PedriSubstituted forLópezat 74′minutes
Substitutes
- 5Martínez
- 16López
- 18Romeo
- 19Roque Ferreira
- 26Astralaga
- 30Married
- 31Cook
- 35Hernández
- 37Victor
- 38guide
- 39Fort
- Referee:
- Juan Martínez Munuera
- Attendance:
- 19,480
Live Text
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Match ends, Alaves 1, Barcelona 3.
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Second Half ends, Alaves 1, Barcelona 3.
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Álex Sola (Alaves) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Álex Sola (Alaves).
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Corner, Alaves. Conceded by Héctor Fort.
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Foul by Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona).
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Rafa Marín (Alaves) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Attempt missed. Javi López (Alaves) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Álex Sola with a cross.
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Attempt missed. Álex Sola (Alaves) left footed shot from outside the box is too high.
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Attempt missed. Álex Sola (Alaves) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right following a corner.
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Attempt blocked. Álex Sola (Alaves) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
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Corner, Alaves. Conceded by Oriol Romeu.
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Attempt missed. Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) left footed shot from outside the box is too high following a fast break.
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Corner, Alaves. Conceded by Héctor Fort.
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Substitution, Alaves. Joaquín Panichelli replaces Samu Omorodion.
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Attempt missed. Rafa Marín (Alaves) header from the centre of the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Abde Rebbach with a cross following a corner.
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Corner, Alaves. Conceded by Héctor Fort.
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Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Foul by Abde Rebbach (Alaves).
