Alaves 0-1 Barcelona: Frenkie de Jong scores late winner in opposition to relegation-battling minnows to maneuver Catalans one level behind Atletico Madrid in race for the Champions League spots
- Frenkie de Jong scored a late winner to salvage a victory for Barcelona
- Xavi's aspect seemed like they had been on their solution to a irritating draw at Alaves
- The Dutch midfielder scored within the 87th minute to offer the guests the victory
- Barcelona are actually one level behind Atletico Madrid within the hunt for the top-four
Barcelona had been unconvincing in Vitoria in opposition to second-bottom Alaves however with a late Frenkie de Jong purpose they picked up a win to go away them only a level from the Champions League locations.
'Finishing in the top four is the primary objective this season,' stated the goalscorer. Barcelona are closing in on that purpose albeit with not one of the daring and panache that Xavi desires to see them taking part in with.
Ousmane Dembele had been dominated out by a abdomen bug, though Barcelona had already made it clear he wouldn't be picked. And with Ansu Fati out injured that left the goalscoring accountability on the shoulders of Ferran Torres and Luuk de Jong.
MATCH FACTS
Aim: F.De Jong 87
Neither might actually check Alaves in a flat first half. Luuk de Jong despatched one volley broad and Ferran Torres missed an opportunity after being arrange by Pedri.
There was an absence of invention and an obvious scarcity of perception from a Barça aspect nonetheless recovering from being knocked out of the Copa del Rey in midweek.
Luuk de Jong ought to have put Barcelona forward on 63 minutes however he couldn't get sufficient on Pedri's cross from the fitting to beat Fernando Pacheco.
Alaves had been having possibilities too and when Jason Remeseiro went round Jordi Alba and crossed to the realm it seemed as if Joselu, Alaves' prime scorer with 10 to date this season, would put them forward however he headed broad.
Alaves coach Jose Luis Mendilibar had by no means overwhelmed Barcelona in 15 video games in opposition to them however this was nearly as good an opportunity as he was going to have.
With seven minutes left Luuk de Jong got here off and was changed by Ferran Jutgla. It's not for Xavi the tactic of knocking the ball as much as the massive man when the clock ticks down and the staff wants a purpose. However does this Barcelona aspect have the rest proper now? The reply was sure and it was the opposite De Jong who received the purpose.
He was offside however not interfering with play as Jordi Alba performed the ball excessive to Ferran Torres. De Jong was then behind Torres as the previous Manchester Metropolis winger performed the ball throughout the face of the realm for the Dutchman to attain.
There was one other late likelihood for Alaves however Tomas Pina's header went straight to Marc Andre ter Stegen. Mendilibar didn't have his first win; he didn't actually have a level and he was despatched off after contesting a call.
'We are in a difficult stage of the season,' stated Frenkie de Jong, 'so this is an important win. But we have to be better with the ball.'