Barcelona won 3-0 over Deportivo Alaves in the first week of La Liga 2018/2019 match at Camp Nou Stadium on Sunday (8/19).
Barcelona save Philippe Coutinho in the first round by choosing to play Ousmane Dembele as left-wing striker.
With the attack line filled by trio of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Dembele, Barcelona’s attack did not endanger Alaves. Despite several times often threatening opponents, but there were no goals scored by the Blaugrana at the beginning of the match.
The opportunity for Barcelona to excel was also squandered by Luis Suarez in the 19th minute after his shot was not on target. Likewise with the chance of the 31st minute Dembele that can’t shake Alaves’s goal.
In the 38th minute the home fans almost made the Camp Nou roar after Messi’s free-kick left-footed only hit Alaves crossbar.
The next minute Dembele’s chances of being thrown away failed to score despite facing one-on-one with goalkeeper Fernando Pacheco.
In the second half Barcelona added to their offensive power by playing Philippe Coutinho who replaced Nelson Semedo. Coutinho’s entry made the flow of Barcelona’s attack increasingly heavy. In the 48th minute Barcelona got a golden opportunity from Jordi Alba after one on one with goalkeeper Fernando Pacheco. But without difficulty Pacheco can recruit the goalkeeper.
The goal awaited the Camp Nou public finally came in the 64th minute after a free kick Lionel Messi beat Alaves fence. Messi, who usually shoots through the fence, is now executing him horizontally. Messi’s free-kick leveled out Alaves players who actually jumped. Pacheco goalkeeper could not hold the free kick.
After some of his best chances in the second half did not produce a goal, Coutinho redeemed it by breaking Alaves in the 83rd minute. Coutinho’s goal was created thanks to Arthur’s pass.
Lionel Messi finally added his goal in the 92nd minute. After successfully passing one Alaves defender, Messi kicked the right-hand side that could not be reached by the opposing goalkeeper. The score was 3-0 for Barcelona’s first win.
Player composition
Barcelona: Marc-Andre ter Stegen; Nelson Semedo, Gerard Pique, Samuel Umtiti, Jordi Alba; Sergi Roberto, Sergio Busquets, Ivan Rakitic; Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Ousmane Dembele.
Alaves: Fernando Pacheco; Martin Aguirregabiria, Guillermo Maripan, Victor Laguardia, Ruben Duarte; Ibai Gomez, Manu Garcia, Daniel Torres, Wakaso Mubarak, Jony; Ruben Sobrino.
