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Barcelona’s winless streak in La Liga extended to four games on Saturday, as Alavés drew 1-1 with 10 men at the Estadio Mendizorroza.
Antoine Griezmann’s first goal of the season disallowed Luis Rioja’s first goal, but Barça couldn’t find a winner despite playing with one more man for the final 30 minutes after Jota’s red card.
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Positive
When Barça lost to Getafe two weeks ago, they created very few chances after falling behind. This was not the case here. They created more than enough to win the game, but they couldn’t get past Fernando Pacheco on the home goal.
Ansu Fati and Griezmann missed good starts in the first half, while Pacheco made a series of late saves to earn his team a point, with Ansu, Lionel Messi, Sergino Dest and Miralem Pjanic all denied by the goalkeeper.
Negative
Although Barça created opportunities, they did not take advantage of them. That has been a recurring theme this season and as Griezmann said after the draw: “We must improve in that aspect of our game.”
In the end, Barça had to pay for a lack of confidence in the defense. Gerard Piqué misinterpreted Neto’s positioning and the goalkeeper became entangled, allowing Rioja to open the scoring against the march.
On an individual level, the most worrying performance has been given by Sergio Busquets, who was one of the three players removed at halftime by Ronald Koeman.
Manager rating out of 10
6 – Koeman has hesitated on substitutions in the past, but made three brave changes at halftime and almost got his payoff. Moving Frenkie de Jong back and adding Pjanic and Pedri changed the game in Barca’s favor.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players submitted after 70 minutes are not rated)
GK Net, 5 – The Brazilian did well in the absence of Marc-Andre ter Stegen but made a big mistake for the Alavés goal. Piqué’s pass wasn’t good either, but he should have done better.
DF Sergi Roberto, 6 – Improved in the second part, linking well with Trincao, but still without quality in the last third.
DF Gerard Hammered, 5 – His clumsy pass for Neto cost Barça two points, although he improved later.
DF Clemente Lenglet, 6 – He played well, but was sacrificed at halftime because Koeman was looking for a more progressive formation.
DF Jordi Alba, 6 – Up and down the left, but struggled to impact in the last third due to the large number of Alavés bodies behind the ball.
MF Sergio Busquets, 4 – Another performance below average. He gave the ball too much and was booked for a late challenge before being substituted at half-time.
MF Frenkie de Jong, 7 years old – For the second consecutive game he did a very good job as an improvised center-back in the second half, having played the first 45 minutes in midfield.
FW Ousmane Dembele, 6 years old – He did not do much wrong, but was retired at half-time, perhaps because his qualities are adapted to a more open game.
Barcelona’s Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann celebrate after scoring a goal against Alavés in La Liga. fake images
FW Antoine Griezmann, 7 – He finally broke his duck of the season with a splintered finish to make it 1-1. The goal is to make your trust in the world of good.
FW Ansu Fati, 7 years old – No goals on his 18th birthday, but some nice moments, including a delicious nutmeg in the second half. However, he lost his best chance, making his way in one-on-one when the match was still scoreless.
OF Lionel Messi, 6 – Only an impressive save by Pacheco denied him the winner in the end. It is true that he is not at his best at the moment, but he is still a danger when he has the ball and is the orchestrator of much of the Barça game.
Substitutions
MF Miralem Pjanic, 7 years old – You must be wondering what else you can do to take Busquets’s place on the team.
MF Pedri, 6 years old – Another good performance by the 17-year-old from the bench, whose presence seems to improve Barça’s pressure.
DEL Francisco Trincao, 6 – Encouraged by the right, but unable to take advantage of some promising positions.
DF Sergino Dest, 6 – He entered on the left side and had a chance to win the game with a quick free kick from Messi, but his shot was stopped.
FW Martin Braithwaite, NR – Barely touched the ball after Koeman threw it for a second goal.
Source: espn.co.uk
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