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| Barcelona 1-2 Deportivo Alaves |
FC Barcelona picked up their first loss in their third game of the new La Liga season after they went down 2-1 at home to newly-promoted team Deportivo Alaves in a disappointing encounter.
Goals from Deyverson and Ibai Gomez ensured that Alaves pick up an historic win against the Champions at the Camp Nou, as Jeremy Mathieu’s equalizer wasn’t enough to rescue the Azulgranas from the humiliation.
Luis Enrique made do with a second-string lineup, resting star men Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta, Luis Suarez, Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba. Cillessen started in goal ahead of Masip as Ter Stegen was injured while Aleix Vidal was deployed at right back in Sergi Roberto’s absence. Neymar returned to the lineup while Alcacer made his debut.
Barça started the game coolly but found themselves one goal down on 39th minute. Former player Kiko Femenia launched in a cross which Deyverson did well to meet after escaping Javier Mascherano to beat Jasper Cillessen and give the visitors a shocking lead.
Barça struggled to create things in the first half but got the equalizer early in the second half through Jeremy Mathieu. Arda Turan did well to win a corner which Neymar delivered for Mathieu to power in a bullet header and beat Pacheco. The defender could have added his second moments later but missed a clear opportunity, firing his shot wide when he should have scored easily.
Barça increased the urgency and began to dominate proceedings. Luis Enrique brought in Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta for Denis Suarez and Arda Turan respectively but it was Alaves who scored next. A mistake by Mascherano at the edge of the box presented Ibai Gomez with a clear cut chance and the player made no mistake in putting the ball into the back of the net to make it 2-1 with 30 minutes left to play.
Luis Suarez came on for Paco Alcacer who didn’t have a very good debut but still couldn’t break through Alaves’ strong defence. Lionel Messi came very close to getting the equalizer in the last second but his shot went inches wide and Barça suffered their first loss of the season.