Deportivo Alaves caused the biggest shock of the La Liga 2016-2017 season so far with an impressive win over defending champions Barcelona, on Saturday. The newly promoted side took the lead in the 39th minute through Deyverson when he found the back of the net of an inch-perfect cross from the right-hand side of the pitch. Despite coming close on numerous occasions in the first half, Barcelona had to wait until the start of the second half to restore parity through a Jeremy Mathieu header.
However, the hosts were shocked by Ibai Gomez’s goal in the 64th minute and never recovered from it, despite the introduction of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, and Andres Iniesta.
Here are the five talking points from Alaves’ win over Barcelona.
Barcelona had all the possession, but Alaves were lethal
Barcelona expectedly dominated the proceedings at the Nou Camp. However, they were not able to take advantage of their dominance and force a victory. Despite coming close on numerous occasions the side did not test the opposition keeper and were largely contained by a deep-lying Alaves defense.
The visitors, on the other hand, were lethal in attack and grabbed the two chances that came their way. The things were expected to improve with the introduction of Messi and Suarez. However, the duo failed to cause any great concern to the Alaves defense and was rendered ineffective by the opposition.
The side that has been heralded for its attacking abilities endured a tough evening as they failed to break the Alaves defense. The game might go on to serve as a master class on how to gain a positive result despite being the underdogs against a star-studded attacking line-up with a lethal approach.
Barcelona defensive fragilities exposed
Pundits across the globe have acknowledged Barca’s attacking supremacy as well as defensive fragilities in the past and the game served as a reminder of the latter. The side’s defense failed to clear the danger in the 39th minute and paid the price for the same with a goal. Their misery was doubled in the 64th minute when Aleix Vidal and Javier Mascherano failed to connect properly with the clearance and gifted Gomez with a clear sight of the goal, which the player duly obliged to by putting the ball in the back of the net.
The side’s decision to part ways with Claudio Bravo might prove to be a costly one as Jasper Cillessen failed to leave his mark on the game. He failed to inspire any confidence amongst the Barcelona defenders and was not completely in control of his box. Luis Enrique would be better served by reinstating the erratic, yet often effective Ter Stegen to the starting line-up in the rest of the games to come.
#2 MSN failed to deliver
Goal has become a word synonymous with the trio of Messi, Suarez, and Neymar. However, the trio failed to deliver during their time on the pitch and it makes us wonder if Luis Enrique would be too pleased with what he saw during the evening. Yes, they did twist and turn their way into attacking positions. However, they failed to truly intimidate the opposition and more importantly, failed to get on the score sheet.
After being omitted from the starting line-up in order to afford them some much-needed rest, the duo of Messi and Suarez were touted to be the side’s cards to redemption should anything go against the spirits for the hosts. With the script not going as per the plan, it was left to the duo to change the course of the match. However, their inability to do so must have frustrated the Barcelona faithful and the game serves as a reminder of that even the best of the players can have their bad days.
#4 Alaves put on a defensive masterclass
The newly promoted Alaves put in a superb performance to gain an unlikely victory over the Catalan giants. They were efficient in possession, put their bodies on the line and more importantly, were not intimidated by the presence of a number of superstars in the opposition line-up.
The side often deployed 10 men behind the ball and did not afford the Barcelona players anytime and space on the ball, thus frustrating their hosts for most parts during the evening. They did not lose heart, despite conceding the equalizer early in the second half and pressed for a positive result with some proactive defensive approach.
The side that finished as the Segunda division champions last season had one of the best defensive records in the league and have continued to build on their sound defensive approach by conceding just 2 goals in their opening 3 fixtures in the league so far.
#5 Barcelona debutants off to a poor start
Barcelona fielded two debutants in the game with both Paco Alcacer and Jasper Cillessen and it is safe to say that neither of them had a good night. While Cillessen failed to command his box and was beaten on two occasions by Alaves, the former Valencia man Paco Alcacer remained anonymous for most parts of the evening and was duly substituted in the 66th minute for the dynamic Luis Suarez. They failed to get into the game and were handed a shocking debut by the visitors.
Despite it being their debuts for the side, their performance against the minnows did not inspire any confidence and it has all but guaranteed them a bit-part role at the club for the rest of the season, of course, injuries permitting. Given the plethora of talent available at the club, the duo will have to utilize any chances that come their way in order to establish themselves amongst the starters.
