Robert Lewandowski’s Heroics Propel Barcelona to a 2-1 Victory Over Alaves
In a thrilling encounter at the Olympic Stadium, Barcelona faced Alaves in a crucial Spanish league fixture. The match ended in a 2-1 victory for the Catalan club, with Robert Lewandowski playing a pivotal role in the comeback. The win keeps Barcelona within striking distance of Real Madrid and Girona in the league standings.
The home victory on Sunday moved Barcelona back within two points of second-place Madrid, which had routed Valencia 5-1 on the previous day. Barcelona is currently four points behind the surprise league leaders, Girona, who secured a 2-1 comeback win at Rayo Vallecano.
The match against Alaves proved to be a challenging test for Barcelona, as they fell behind just one minute into the game. Alaves took the lead in a breakaway after Barcelona midfielder Ilkay Gundogan lost possession near midfield. However, Lewandowski’s heroics turned the tide, contributing with a crucial header in the 53rd minute and a decisive penalty kick in the 78th.
Lewandowski, recently returning from injury, had not scored in six matches since his double in the 3-2 win against Celta Vigo in September. His goals against Alaves marked a significant comeback, providing a much-needed boost for Barcelona.
Barcelona coach Xavi acknowledged the team’s struggles, stating, “We played a bit better, but we are not going through our best moment. We came through in a match that became difficult. The international break will be good for us so we can regroup. We will improve, I’m certain.”
The victory maintains Barcelona’s two-point lead over Atletico Madrid, who also secured a comeback win against Villarreal with a goal and an assist by Antoine Griezmann. It was the 15th straight league home win for Atletico, a remarkable achievement that surpassed their previous run of 14 victories in a row at the Vicente Calderon Stadium between May 2012 and February 2013.
Despite the challenges, Barcelona extended its unbeaten run against Alaves in the league to 12 games, with 10 wins and two draws. The Catalan club had previously suffered a 1-0 loss at Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League and a 2-1 defeat to Madrid in the first “clasico” of the season.
Injuries continued to trouble Barcelona, with Frenkie de Jong and Sergi Roberto still sidelined. Xavi also had to cope with the suspension of Gavi. The absence of key players highlighted the team’s resilience, with young talents like Pedri and Lamine Yamal stepping up in the starting lineup.
Before the match, Aitana Bonmatí from the Barcelona women’s team presented the Ballon d’Or trophy she won last month to the fans, adding a celebratory touch to the occasion.
Despite the recent challenges, Barcelona’s victory against Alaves showcased the team’s determination and the potential for improvement. As they head into the international break, Barcelona aims to regroup and build on this hard-fought win in the quest for success in the Spanish league.