Robert Lewandowski‘s second-half strike helped Barcelona beat Alaves 1-0 on Sunday to chop the hole on La Liga leaders Real Madrid all the way down to 4 factors. The Catalans, third, capitalised with a slender victory after the champions slipped up throughout city at Espanyol on Saturday. Barcelona path second place Atletico by three factors earlier than the Rojiblancos face Real Madrid in a tasty derby conflict subsequent weekend, which may permit Hansi Flick’s facet to make up extra floor. Lewandowski netted from a Lamine Yamal cross to settle a hard-fought match by which Alaves largely pissed off the hosts.
“Before the game we knew we had to win,” Lewandowski advised Movistar. “For us it’s a moment in which we have less points than Atletico and Real Madrid, (but) first it’s important that we win and later we can think about their points.
“We should play properly, win after which we are able to have a look at the league desk and see what number of factors we’ve got precisely.”
Flick’s team struggled to get going in the early afternoon sunlight at the Olympic stadium.
The Catalans created barely anything of note in the first half as Alaves resisted stubbornly.
One mazy Lamine Yamal dribble got home fans excited but there was little else to raise the pulse.
Barcelona’s Gavi and Tomas Conechny of Alaves were both taken off after an ugly collision of heads.
Flick later confirmed Gavi was healthy.
“He’s on the way in which dwelling and the whole lot is sweet, nothing occurred,” explained the coach.
‘Patience’ pays
Lewandowski scuffed a shot narrowly wide and a low Pedri effort was comfortably fielded by Alaves goalkeeper Jesus Owono.
Flick introduced on Frenkie de Jong and Eric Garcia at half-time to try and speed up Barcelona’s game in possession and the team looked sharper as a result.
Lewandowski sent a glancing header agonisingly wide of the far post soon before he broke the deadlock.
The veteran Polish forward produced a poacher’s finish from close range after Yamal sent a cross-shot spinning towards him at the back post after 61 minutes.
It was Lewandowski’s 18th goal of the league campaign, stretching his lead on Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe as the division’s top scorer to three.
Flick hailed the 36-year-old striker after his match-winning contribution.
“This is the job of Lewy, he is the most effective quantity 9 within the field,” Flick told reporters.
“In this tough match it was vital for us he was there.”
Barca substitute Ferran Torres‘s curling effort was pushed away by Owono at full stretch as the Catalans tried to make the game safe.
Flick’s team could not produce a second but Alaves, who barely threatened Wojciech Szczesny‘s goal throughout, were not able to mount a comeback.
“A recreation like at present is essential,” said Lewandowski.
“We cannot at all times win with 4, 5 – 6 targets, typically groups like this come alongside who defend deep and properly, however we’ve got an opportunity if we play with persistence, and in the long run we scored another objective than them so we’re very glad.”
Athletic Bilbao, fourth, came from behind twice to earn a 2-2 draw at Real Betis.
Antony, on loan at the Andalucian side from Manchester United, helped create the first goal on his Betis debut with a shot which was saved, with Isco turning dwelling the rebound.
Earlier Ante Budimir netted twice to earn Osasuna a 2-1 win over Real Sociedad, who’ve misplaced 4 of their final 5 video games throughout all competitions.
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