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#2 Deportivo Alaves may not miss Marcos Llorente and Theo Hernandez terribly
Plenty of pundits predicted that Marcos Llorente’s return to Real Madrid, in addition to Theo Hernandez’ departure would have resulted in Alaves having a tough time of it in La Liga. Curiously, however, that side with Llorente and Theo lost 6-0 to Barcelona at the Mendizorozza, so there was definite room for improvement.
Alaves were superbly organised in the first half, and the one time they managed to get behind Barca’s right side in the first half, Ter Stegen made a brilliant save to deny Ruben Sobrino a certain goal. The start of the second half ought to have had the hosts take the lead only for Sobrino to be inches away from turning in a low cross.
Messi’s first goal had its share of fortune, and Alvares will rue the mistake that gifted Barca the second goal and the win. There were plenty of positives, especially Pacheco being stunning in goal as well as Wakaso’s performance in the middle - with Enzo Zidane’s cameo a nice touch. The Mendizorozza will be a tough place to come to this season.
