FC Barcelona achieved a hard-fought victory over Deportivo Alavés with a score of 1-0 on February 2, 2025, at the iconic Camp Nou. The match became particularly significant as it allowed Barcelona to close the gap on La Liga leaders Real Madrid.
The game proved challenging for the Catalan giants, who had to overcome numerous missed opportunities during the first half. According to reports from AZERTAJ, the team missed at least three clear chances to score before Robert Lewandowski netted the decisive goal in the 61st minute. Lewandowski's strike came as he capitalized on an attempted shot by young forward Lamine Yamal, which turned fortuitously from a miss to a precise pass. The master striker perfectly timed his position within the box, ensuring he was not offside and converting the chance.
The first half of the game saw Barcelona struggling to convert chances, most evident when Yamal's dazzling run—akin to Barcelona legend Lionel Messi—saw him evade defenders before delivering to Rafinha, who narrowly missed the target. Alavés managed to pose some threats of their own, with midfielder Antonio Blanco having seen his shot narrowly offside, underscoring the tension of the match.
After Lewandowski's strike, Barcelona initially relaxed their attack but soon faced adversity late in the match. A fast break by Alavés almost resulted in disaster when Antonio Martínez charged down the right flank and sought to capitalize on the shifting defense. Fortunately for the home side, Pау Кубарси was able to block the attempt, allowing Barcelona to cling on to their lead.
Adding to the drama, Gavi, Barcelona's talented midfielder, suffered a concerning head injury during the match. Following the collision, team doctor Ricard Pruna posed Gavi with the simple question, "What day of the week is it?" Gavi's bewildered response—"I don’t know, ***"—prompted immediate medical attention. While initially reluctant to leave the field, teammates urged him to accept the substitution, highlighting the club's commitment to player safety.
Despite this setback, the match ended positively for Barcelona as they celebrated their second consecutive La Liga win, marking their ambition to compete for the championship. It places them just four points behind Real Madrid, who recently lost to Espanyol, as noted by AZERTAJ.
Manager Hans-Dieter Flick expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance, saying, "It was a tough game, which required significant effort. It was important to secure three points considering Real’s result yesterday." His insights reflected the players' need to stay focused amid the pressures of the title race. Flick particularly praised young star Yamal, calling him “a genius,” and recognizing the extraordinary potential he showed during the match.
Barcelona currently sits third on the La Liga table, trailing both Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid. With the title still within reach, every point now weighs heavily as the battles for supremacy continue across Spain. The club’s supporters will surely be hoping for continued resilience and effectiveness from their players as they navigate upcoming matches.
Moving forward, with the Bundesliga also on the horizon—where matches are set to determine more than just domestic standings—Barcelona can similarly look to maintain their intensity. While fluctuations became apparent earlier this season, they have now dispatched of Alavés, and reclaimed their position as one of Europe’s most formidable clubs.