Barça got three invaluable points from Mendizorroza after a very gray game, especially in the first half. A combination between Alba, Ferran Torres and Luuk de Jong have executed Alavés, although surely Pedri has been the most outstanding player. This is how the azulgranas have played this Sunday:
Ter Stegen: Impeccable (7)
Alavés shot little on goal. Pere Pons had a one-on-one in the first half and Jason had a shot in the 93rd. Both went to his hands, which is not his fault. A clean sheet and to continue gaining lost confidence.
His contributions in attack were minimal, while in defense he suffered and committed some fouls that gave Alavés their best dangerous chances. He will not beat Alves with games like this.
Joselu was a demanding challenge, but the center-back came out on his feet, getting on well with Araujo. He had occasion to score from set pieces.
Xavi placed him on the left flank, protecting Alba’s back. A wise decision, because he had to cover that gap on more than one occasion, always with success.
Content in the first half, without big mistakes or being a threat, he ended up playing as a lane. The round trip no longer goes with him, but he sees the unchecks like few others. The goal was born in his boots, by understanding the movement of Ferran Torres when everyone was looking at Frenkie de Jong.
He put a team on his back at times without a pulse, which at his age is already an enormous merit. He was the only one who tried from the beginning to get Barça out of a soporific rhythm, although almost always without help.
He held the center of the field with class, but without doing anything to alter a bland script, unbecoming of Barça. He was able to score a header from a corner that he combed at the near post.
Frenkie de Jong: Awarded (7)
A very flat Barça needed someone to break lines, to get out of the script. Determined to look for his friend Luuk at the beginning, in the second half he poured into the area and ended up finding the goal.
Ferran Torres: Assistant (6)
He started on the right and before the break Xavi changed him to the left. Neither on one side nor on the other did it generate danger. But his coach believed in him and resolved the match with a magnificent uncheck and a decisive assist.
Luuk de Jong: Desperate (5)
He returned to his worst version, that of a ‘nine’ without murderous instinct and very slow to resolve actions of clear advantage. Aguirregabiria recovered three meters and took the ball from his feet in a one-on-one with the goalkeeper, and then caressed a great cross from Pedri that he only had to push into the net.
Beating his peer cost him, on one side and on the other, but he did not stop trying. He created problems for the rival, which is no small thing seeing the tedious first half of his team.
Substitutions
No sign of the player who dazzled against Celta, although it was a gray day for everyone. Alavés vehemently requested a penalty that they simply did not commit.
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