With a 3-1 win over Alaves on Saturday, Daniel Olmo scored two goals to propel Barcelona into the top of La Liga.
After Pablo Ibanez gave Barca a surprise lead in the first minute through Lamine Yamal, a returning Raphinha goal, set up by the visiting team.
In the second match, Olmo scored the winner for Barca midway through the first half, before scoring late in the second period to clinch the victory at Camp Nou, which they had partially rebuilt.
Before Xabi Alonso’s side visit Girona on Sunday, Barca leads Real Madrid by two points.
Barca’s celebrations for its 126th anniversary were a little subdued, despite a 3-0 defeat by Chelsea in midweek.
Olmo told DAZN, “They caught us a little by surprise in the first minute, but the team came back well from that situation, keeping our idea of how to play,” they said. “We got the first, second, and finally we dominated,” Olmo said.
“To play here, to score, and to help the team win is a dream come true.”
Jules Kounde was benched after scoring his own goal at Stamford Bridge while Ronald Araujo and Frenkie de Jong were unavailable.
After a lengthy layoff following knee surgery, Flick returned Brazilian winger Raphinha for the first time since August 2024. He also brought Marc Bernal back into midfield for his first Barca start.
In their first game back home last weekend, Barcelona defeated Athletic Bilbao 4-0, but Alaves provided much more energetic opposition.
Ibanez fired home after Marc Casado couldn’t clear a corner, and Victor Parada turned the ball back in the direction of the goal, giving the visitors the lead right away.
When Raphinha found him with a low cross that Dani Olmo swung at and missed, Yamal stooped into the roof of the net.
Just before the hosts took the lead, Barca goalkeeper Joan Garcia saved a superb save to deny Calebe.
Raphinha was involved in the goal, cutting the ball back for Olmo to strike inside the near post once more.
Read more about Chelsea’s “Deserve” To Be Considered Title Rivals – Arteta.
Yamal almost doubled Barca’s lead, but after rounding Antonio Sivera, he was unable to hit the upright.
Before half-time, Lucas Boye fired a narrowly wide shot just wide of the teenager, almost making him pay.
45, 000 fans crowded the three open stands, cheering ferociously for Barca playmaker Pedri Gonzalez who came off injured in the second half.
As Barca struggled to end the game, Yamal curled neemly wide of the top corner from the edge of the box and a Olmo effort flew past the post.
Boye almost got level when Alaves’ block, but Barca defender Pau Cubarsi made a crucial block to halt the Basque side.
In stoppage time, Olmo defeated Sivera after the effervescent Yamal had given him the third goal.
Jonny Otto, a defender for the Alaves, told DAZN, “We couldn’t keep our lead, but we had our chances.”
“Barca may end up asking for the final whistle,” says Barca.
Source: Channels TV
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