News Focus
- Barcelona lost 1-0 to Alavés in their first match since winning the La Liga title
- Hansi Flick made eight changes to the side that beat Real Madrid in El Clásico
- Young defender Álvaro Cortés made his senior debut and impressed the manager
- The defeat ended Barcelona’s run of 11 consecutive league victories
- Ibrahim Diabaté scored the only goal during first-half stoppage time
Barcelona’s bid to finish the La Liga season with 100 points failed after they lost 1-0 away to Deportivo Alavés. The match was their first since securing the league championship last week.
Ibrahim Diabaté scored the winning goal in first-half injury time at the Mendizorroza Stadium. This result brought an end to the Catalans’ impressive streak of 11 straight wins in the league.
Manager Hansi Flick changed eight players from the team that defeated Real Madrid. He explained that he wanted to give playing time to squad members who had featured less often this season.
“We wanted to give minutes to players who had not played much,” Flick told reporters after the match. “In the first half we controlled the game, but it was a difficult evening. Alavés are fighting to stay in the league, so this is normal.”
The German coach admitted disappointment at missing the 100-point target but stayed positive about his team’s display. “I am happy with what I saw. We wanted to win and get to 100 points. That was not possible, but I told the players I saw things I liked. I am disappointed, but we must accept it.”
One bright spot for Barcelona was the performance of young defender Álvaro Cortés. The player made his senior debut in the match and caught the eye of his manager with his composure.
Flick praised the youngster’s confidence on the ball. “It was his first match. I saw him play with confidence. He earned his debut because of how he trains. This is what I want to see from Barça Atlètic players. They must give everything in training with the first team and play well for the reserves. I liked what I saw, and that is why he played.”
Goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny also returned to the starting line-up for the first time in six months. Flick revealed he selected the Polish keeper to give regular starter Joan García a rest ahead of upcoming fixtures.
“We had three games this week,” Flick explained. “We decided Joan should rest, but he will probably play the last two matches.”