Raphinha and Lamine Yamal scored twice each as Barcelona returned to winning ways in emphatic fashion, thrashing Alaves 6-1 at Camp Nou on Saturday to reclaim top spot in La Liga.
The victory came as a timely response to two damaging defeats, including their Champions League loss to Paris Saint-Germain and last weekend’s home Clasico defeat to arch-rivals Real Madrid.
Earlier in the day, Atletico Madrid had temporarily moved above Barcelona with a 2-0 victory over Levante. However, Hansi Flick’s side restored their two-point advantage at the summit with an impressive attacking display.
Raphinha opened the scoring in the eighth minute before Fermin Lopez doubled Barcelona’s lead in the 23rd minute. The Brazilian then grabbed his second of the afternoon, while Yamal added a fourth in first-half stoppage time.
Yamal completed his brace midway through the second half, before substitute Anthony Gordon chipped in Barcelona’s sixth. Former Real Madrid striker Mariano Diaz scored a late consolation for Alaves.
A minute’s silence was observed before kick-off at all Saturday’s matches in memory of the 69 people killed in a train crash in Spain’s Toledo province earlier this week.
Despite a number of defensive injury concerns, Flick handed Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong a role at centre-back, while youngster Brian Farinas made his first start at right-back. The changes, however, did little to disrupt Barcelona’s attacking rhythm.
The hosts took the lead after eight minutes when Pedri released Lopez, who squared the ball for Raphinha to bundle home.
Alaves threatened through Abde Rebbach but Barcelona doubled their advantage in the 23rd minute. Yamal picked out Lopez, who fired across goal from a tight angle, with the ball finding its way into the far corner.
Barcelona continued to create opportunities, although both Karim Adeyemi and Yamal missed clear chances to extend the lead.
Raphinha made no such mistake, however, finishing clinically across goalkeeper Antonio Sivera after being played through by Lopez to register his 15th league goal of the season.
Yamal then made it 4-0 in first-half stoppage time with a powerful low strike from the edge of the box.
Adeyemi missed another opportunity early in the second half, firing over after Lopez had unselfishly set him up.
Yamal eventually got his second with a delicate chip over Sivera after substitute Gabriel Jesus sent him through on goal.
Gordon added further gloss to the scoreline with a similar finish, while Diaz grabbed a late consolation for the visitors.
Atletico extend winning run
Earlier, Atletico Madrid secured a 2-0 away victory over Levante to record their seventh consecutive La Liga win and maintain pressure on the reigning champions.
Goals from Alejandro Grimaldo and Giuliano Simeone sealed the victory, with Alex Baena providing the creative spark by setting up both strikes.
The result briefly lifted Diego Simeone’s side above Barcelona before the Catalans reclaimed top spot with their emphatic victory.
“I’m very happy with the team’s work,” Atletico coach Simeone told Movistar.
“We’re very far from the end of the season… we’ll keep going game by game,” he added.
The victory also saw Simeone record his 344th La Liga win as Atletico manager, drawing level with the club record held by the late Luis Aragones.
Reflecting on the milestone, Simeone said: “I don’t feel it much as mine, but it belongs to my players, everyone who has been with me for so many years.”
The Argentine has been in charge of Atletico since 2011.
Atletico now turn their attention to Tuesday’s Champions League encounter against Bayern Munich before hosting Barcelona at the Metropolitano next weekend in a potentially crucial La Liga showdown.
Meanwhile, third-placed Real Madrid are scheduled to visit Racing Santander on Sunday.
AFP
