Barcelona beat host Alaves 3-1 in the Spanish League on Saturday thanks to goals from Robert Lewandowski, Ilkay Gundogan and substitute Vitor Roque, who was sent off after receiving a second yellow card.
Barcelona opened the scoring thanks to a decisive pass from Gundogan to Lewandowski, and the Polish shot the ball over goalkeeper Antonio Severa to score his ninth goal this season.
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Gundogan took the lead at the beginning of the second half with a wonderful shot with his left foot after Pedri’s pass, to increase Barcelona’s lead.
Alaves launched a quick counter-attack two minutes later after a pass from Alex Sola, who crossed for Samu Omorodion to slot home.
“We knew how to compete and we were very strong in defence. It is unfortunate that we conceded this goal, because we controlled the game and the score was 2-0 and within minutes they scored. We defended the penalty area poorly and that makes me angry.” “We worked hard,” Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez said.
The coach added in his second match after announcing his departure at the end of the season, “But in general, we played a very good and very mature match.”
“We have two victories after this decision. I said it was necessary and this is the team’s response. We were very efficient, something we lacked all season. It is an important victory.”
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Barcelona increased its lead thanks to a shot from Roque, who replaced Gundogan in the 63rd minute.
The Brazilian was sent off after nine minutes, after receiving yellow cards for an elbow on Nahuel Tenaglia and a foul on Rafa Marin.
“We will appeal against the expulsion of Vitor Roque. It is clearly a mistake, another mistake against us. Robert [Lewandowski] Xavi added: “He is our top scorer and today he played a great match and Vitor too. He scored goals for us and I think the expulsion was very unfair.”
Barcelona occupies third place in the standings with 50 points, seven points behind leaders Real Madrid, which will face Atletico Madrid on Sunday, and five points behind second-placed Girona, which faces Real Sociedad.
