Barcelona Return to the Top of La Liga With Rout of Alavés

Barcelona made a stunning comeback after two consecutive defeats. Hansi Flick’s men reclaimed the top spot in the Spanish La Liga with a massive 6-1 win over Deportivo Alaves.

Rafinha and Lamine Yamal scored twice in Barca’s big win at home to Camp Nou. Firmin Lopez and Anthony Gordon scored the other two goals for the team. Mariano Diaz scored the only goal to reduce the gap for Alaves.

Due to injuries in the defense, Flick played Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong at center-back and young Brian Farinas at right-back. The hosts, having overcome the injuries in the defense, kept their opponents under pressure from the start of the match. In the eighth minute, Rafinha put Barca ahead through a perfect combination of Pedri and Lopes. Lopes doubled the lead with a solo effort in the 23rd minute.

Rafinha then scored his second and 15th goal of the season with an assist from Lopez. Yamal made it 4-0 with a dazzling low shot from outside the D-box in first-half stoppage time.

Barca continued their attacking football after the break. Yamal scored his second goal with a great chip from Gabriel Jesus. Substitute Anthony Gordon sent the sixth ball into the Alaves net in the same manner shortly after.

With this win, Barcelona remained 2 points ahead of second-placed Atletico Madrid in the points table.

Atletico win on Simeone’s record night

Atletico Madrid maintained their pressure at the top of the points table with a 2-0 win over Levante in the other match of the day. Goals from Alejandro Grimaldo and Juliano Simeone secured Diego Simeone’s side a seventh consecutive win.

With this victory, Diego Simeone reached Luis Aragones’ historic record of 344 La Liga wins as Atletico Madrid coach. Alex Baena scored both goals in a brilliant display of football.