Barcelona came from behind to record a 2-1 win over Alaves in Sunday night's entertaining La Liga clash at Camp Nou.
Alaves took a shock 23rd-minute lead through John Guidetti, but Luis Suarez equalised in the 72nd minute before Lionel Messi came up with a winner for the league leaders six minutes from time.
The victory has seen Barcelona re-open an 11-point lead over second-placed Atletico Madrid at the top of the table, while Alaves remain down in 17th position.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from Camp Nou as the league leaders Barcelona welcome lowly Alaves. The home side will be looking to once again open up an 11-point lead at the top of the table. Can Alaves pull off a shock result tonight? Stay tuned!
Barcelona recorded a 2-0 win when they travelled to Alaves earlier this season, and the Catalan giants have been victorious in the last three meetings between the two teams. That said, Alaves recorded a famous 2-1 win at Camp Nou during the 2016-17 La Liga season, and will be looking to pull off another spectacular victory in tonight's match. We are all set for a very interesting fixture.
Right, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news. Both sides were in Copa del Rey action during the week - Barcelona recording a 2-0 win over Espanyol in the second leg of their quarter-final to book their spot in the semi-finals, but Alaves lost on penalties to Valencia.
TEAMS!
BARCA: Ter Stegen; Semedo, Pique, Umtiti, Digne; Rakitic, Iniesta, Paulinho; Coutinho, Suarez, Messi
ALAVES: Pacheco; Alexis, Maripan, Laguardia, Duarte; Ibai, Medran, Wakaso, Pedraza; Guidetti, Sobrino
Philippe Coutinho will make his long-awaited La Liga debut for Barcelona tonight, with the Brazilian selected alongside Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi in the final third of the field. There is also a spot at left-back for Lucas Digne as Jordi Alba starts on the bench, while Ivan Rakitic is selected ahead of Sergio Busquets in central midfield. Ruben Semedo is given the nod over Sergi Roberto at right-back.
As for Alaves, on-loan forward Munir El-Haddadi starts on the bench against his parent club, with former Manchester City forward John Guidetti, who is on loan from Celta Vigo, tasked with leading the line. Rodrigo Ely is suspended after picking up a red card against Leganes last time out, which allows Guillermo Maripan the chance to start at centre-back. There is also a spot in the XI for Mubarak Wakaso.
So there we have it. The two teams are in, and we are just about 40 minutes from kickoff at Camp Nou. I shall speak about the away side a little bit later, but let's start with Barcelona. As mentioned, Ernesto Valverde's side will enter this match off the back of a 2-0 win over Espanyol in the second leg of their Copa del Rey quarter-final, which booked their spot in the semi-finals of the competition.
Barcelona have been spectacular in the league this season – winning 17 of their 20 league matches - to sit top of the table on 54 points. Second-placed Atletico Madrid have managed to close the gap to eight points following their 2-0 win over Las Palmas earlier this afternoon, but the gap would be back to 11 if Barcelona manage to triumph in front of their own supporters tonight.
Barcelona have won each of their last six in the league – scoring plenty of goals in the process. They came from 2-0 behind to beat Real Sociedad 4-2 on January 14, before recording a 5-0 victory away to Real Betis last weekend. No team has scored more (57) than Barcelona this season, while Valverde's side also have the best defensive record with just nine goals conceded.
Bar an incredible turn of events over the next few weeks, Barcelona will reclaim the Spanish title this season. Valverde will also be eyeing success in the Copa del Rey, while the Champions League resumes next month, and Barcelona have the small matter of a clash with English champions Chelsea.
The omens are not great for Alaves when considering that Barcelona have won eight of their nine home league matches this season – drawing the other – scoring 29 times and conceding just four in the process. Alaves have, of course, recently won at Camp Nou, but it is extremely difficult to imagine an away win occurring tonight. Stay tuned right here to find out what occurs!
Alaves shared the points in a 2-2 draw at home to Leganes last weekend. A total of 19 points from 20 league matches has left the Basque club in 17th position in the table – just two points clear of the bottom three. There is no question that they are in a relegation battle this season.
That said, Alaves have actually won four of their last seven in the league – losing just twice in the process. They beat Sevilla at home earlier this month, and also won 3-2 at Girona in December. Unlike a number of teams towards the bottom of the table, Alaves have some momentum.
Now Southampton boss Mauricio Pellegrino led Alaves to a ninth-placed finish in La Liga last season, in addition to a spot in the Copa del Rey final. It was always going to be difficult for Abelardo to match those heights, but avoiding dropping out of the division would be seen as a good campaign.
Only two teams – Malaga and Las Palmas – have a worse away record than Alaves in the league this season. Indeed, the Basque outfit have lost seven of their nine matches on their travels – scoring just six goals in the process. It could be a long and difficult night against a Barcelona team that are flying. Right, the time for talking is over. It is Barcelona against Alaves at Camp Nou, and kickoff is next!
KICKOFF! Alaves kick things off at Camp Nou...
... Alaves take the kickoff, but it does not take long for Barcelona to take control of the ball. The home side will dominate the possession, and it will be up to Alaves to sit in and survive here.
Alaves have not been afraid to press Barcelona high up the field in the early stages of this match. Ter Stegen is almost caught on the ball by Sobrino, but the German just does enough to clear. Barcelona then break down the other end with Suarez, but Alexis is across to make the clearance.
Suarez looks to find Messi with a cross from the left, but the weight of the ball is just too strong. As expected, Barcelona are the team on the front foot in the early stages of this league fixture.
WIDE! Digne has a go from just outside the Alaves box, and his effort is not too far away. Barcelona are very much forcing the issue with eight minutes on the clock here.
Pass, pass, pass from Barcelona as they work the ball from left to right in the final third. Maripan's loose clearance threatens to fall for a red and blue shirt, but Pacheco is on hand to collect.
Already some signs of Coutinho linking with Messi and Suarez in the final third. Coutinho has actually started on the right for Barcelona tonight, with Digne and Rakitic wide on the left.
Decent counter-attack from Alaves as Perez breaks forward, but the number 21 can only deliver into the arms of the Barcelona goalkeeper. Still goalless with 14 minutes on the clock here.
CLOSE! Barcelona come close to making the breakthrough as a slick move ends with Suarez delivering low towards Messi, but Laguardia just manages to turn wide of his own post.
SAVE! Super goalkeeping from Ter Stegen as the German comes out to deny Ibai Gomez, who had the chance to lift the ball into the net following a fast counter-attack.
Alaves are very dangerous when they have the chance to break here, and Barcelona are not exactly leaving players back when they pass and probe themselves. Very interesting game of football here.
There have been some late challenges in the last few minutes, but the referee is yet to get his card out of his pocket. Alaves are doing well to break up Barcelona's tempo in the final third.
GOAL! Barcelona 0-1 Alaves (Guidetti)
Oh my word! Alaves make the breakthrough in the 22nd minute as Guidetti finds the back of the net with a smart finish following yet another counter-attack from the visitors!
Well, Camp Nou did not expect that! Alaves are absolutely full of beans at the moment.
SAVE! Ter Stegen does well to keep out a flick from Sobrino as Alaves come close to scoring once again. All of the chances are coming for the away side at the moment.
BOOKING! Duarte (Alaves) is booked for a foul on Messi.
Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining, and Alaves still lead 1-0. The home side have just had a half-chance, but Iniesta's effort from the edge of the box was always just too high.
Sobrino tests the handling of Ter Stegen after breaking clear of the Barcelona defence. The Alaves number seven has been very dangerous in the first 32 minutes of this La Liga clash.
CLOSE! Coutinho has a shot deflected wide of the post as Barcelona put pressure on the away side's back four. It actually looked a lot closer on first viewing. It took a big deflection.
You just get the feeling that Alaves need to take a lead into the second period if they are to stand a chance of picking up a positive result here. Barcelona will surely score at least once in this match. The home side have a free kick in a wide area as Maripan brings Semedo to the deck...
... SAVE! Pacheco pushes Messi's free kick over the crossbar!
Barcelona are pinning Alaves back at the moment as the pressure continues to grow here.
Little over five minutes of the first period remaining, and Alaves continue to hold firm. The visitors are very deep though, and that will be a concern to their manager at this stage of the match.
Bad touch from Messi! That is not something that can be said too often. Iniesta finds the Argentine with a wonderful pass inside the box, but the ball gets away from Messi, which is staggering because that simply never happens. Alaves continue to hold on with 42 minutes on the clock.
Barcelona have a free kick in a dangerous area as Wakaso brings Coutinho to the deck...
... SAVE! Super save from Pacheco to keep out Messi's free kick!
Alaves are almost there in terms of the half-time break. The visitors are only just surviving though as they continue to concede free kicks around their penalty box. Messi is over the latest.
HALF-TIME: Barcelona 0-1 Alaves
Crikey! The referee brings the first period to a close with Alaves leading Barcelona 1-0 courtesy of a strike from Guidetti in the 23rd minute of action. The visitors had threatened on a couple of occasions before the on-loan Celta forward stuck the ball in the back of the net. Barcelona have had their moments, but have struggled to create clear openings in the first 45 minutes of football.
STATISTICS! Barcelona dominated the first-half possession with 80%, while they had six attempts - three of which were on target. Alaves, however, hit the target with all four of their shots, and one of those found the back of the net. Wakaso and Duarte have been booked for the away side here.
BENCH WATCH! Barcelona boss Valverde has the likes of Alba, Alcacer, Roberto and Alcacer on his bench tonight, and it would not be a surprise to see at least two of those in the second period. Alaves, meanwhile, have on-loan Barcelona forward Munir among their substitutes at Camp Nou.
RESTART! Barcelona resume the action here...
... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will have alterations in mind as the second period develops here.
You have to think that Barcelona will score at least once in this second period, but Alaves have defended very well thus far tonight. Still a lot of football to be played before the night is out though.
Coutinho tumbles just outside the Alaves box, but the referee is not interested. It has been a fairly low-key start to the second period, which is excellent news for the away side here.
BARCELONA SUBS! Roberto and Alba replace Semedo and Digne.
Not too much of a surprise that Valverde has changed both of his full-backs early in the second period. Semedo and Digne were just not offering too much down either side of the pitch.
Not much of an atmosphere inside the stadium at the moment. It is almost as if the Barcelona supporters cannot believe that their team is behind in this match. It is a big shock to be fair!
Alaves have not had much attacking intent in the second period, but Perez has just managed to carry the ball clear for the visitors - winning a throw deep in Barcelona's half of the field.
Little over 30 minutes of this La Liga clash remaining, and Alaves still lead at Camp Nou. Suarez has been quiet for Barcelona tonight, but you sense that he might have a say in this match.
Alba delivers a low cross into Messi, but the Argentine cannot make clean contact on the ball, and Alaves manage to clear their lines once again. Much better from Alba in a wide area there.
Alaves are preparing to make their first change of the match as the clock continues to tick at Camp Nou. The Barcelona supporters have been a little bit more vocal in the last five minutes or so here.
CHANCE! Duarte has one blocked over the crossbar by Pique after Alaves had threatened on the counter-attack once again! Ibai might have had a shot moments before!
ALAVES SUB! Perez is replaced by Pedraza for the away side.
Paco Alcacer will soon enter the field in Barcelona's third change of the night here.
Pacheco is on hand to keep out a strike from Paulinho, which lacked any real power.
BARCELONA SUB! Alcacer replaces Coutinho for the home side.
Barcelona's final ball has been very disappointing tonight, but Alaves must be credited for a fine performance. The visitors continue to threaten on the counter-attack, and a second would be massive.
SAVE! Wonderful save from Pacheco as the Alaves goalkeeper manages to keep out a close-range effort from Suarez, who had met a through pass from Messi.
CHANCE! Incredible chance for Barcelona as Pique pokes towards Paulinho inside the Alaves box, but the midfielder cannot convert under pressure! Pacheco made another save!
Alaves are riding their luck, and there is still a lot of football to be played before the night is out.
GOAL! Barcelona 1-1 Alaves (Suarez)
Finally Barcelona level the scores as Suarez turns home at the far post following a super cross from Iniesta. It was an excellent half-volley from Suarez, who is enjoying a fine run of scoring form!
Smart goalkeeping from Pacheco as the Alaves stopper holds onto a powerful Messi free kick.
ALAVES SUB! Munir - who belongs to Barcelona - replaces Guidetti for Alaves.
Alaves are so incredibly deep at the moment as the away side look to hold onto what would be a brilliant point at Camp Nou. Barcelona, however, are pushing hard for a late winner in this game.
Suarez volleys over from inside the Alaves box!
Little over 10 minutes of football remaining at Camp Nou, and you just get the feeling that there is going to be a late sting in the tail here. Messi continues to pick up the ball in a deep position.
Alaves continue to sink deeper and deeper as the clock ticks on at Camp Nou.
Iniesta comes close to finding Suarez with a clever pass inside the Alaves box, but Pacheco is on hand to gather. Not a surprise that the Alaves goalkeeper takes a while to release the ball.
Barcelona have a free kick in a very dangerous area as Wakaso brings Alcacer to the deck...
... GOAL! Barcelona 2-1 Alaves (Messi)
It just had to be him didn't it! Messi finds the top corner with a super free kick from outside the box!
It is tough on Alaves, but the visitors have sunk deeper and deeper in the second period.
Alaves deliver deep into the Barcelona box, but Pique comes up with a big header, and the home side can break down the field. Bit of pressure from the visitors with 89 minutes on the clock here.
ALAVES SUB! Demirovic replaces Duarte for the away side.
We are into the first of three additional minutes at the end of the match.
SAVE! Smart save from Pacheco to keep out a Messi effort.
FULL-TIME: Barcelona 2-1 Alaves
So there we have it. Barcelona come from behind to record a 2-1 win over Alaves at Camp Nou. The league leaders grind out a huge three points to re-open an 11-point lead at the top of the table. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live coverage once again. Until next time!
