FC Barcelona are set to visit Deportivo Alavés in La Liga for their final match before the international break. The hosts currently sit 11th in the standings, while Hansi Flick’s side remains at the top of the table.
After a perfect start to La Liga, Barcelona dropped points against Osasuna last weekend. They did respond in style midweek against Young Boys but will also be keen to get convincingly over the line against Alavés and return to winning ways in the league.
The last time the squad was about to disperse for an international break, Hansi Flick’s Barcelona put on a show, a 7-0 win over Real Valladolid and the fans would be hoping for a similar display of football when the team takes on Alavés.
That said, here are three talking points for Barcelona ahead of their clash against Deportivo Alavés in La Liga on Sunday at Mendizorrotza Stadium.
1. Returning to winning ways
21 points out of 24 make for good reading for Barcelona and being three points clear of Real Madrid is just the cherry on the cake. Despite the loss against Osasuna last weekend, the optimism surrounding Barcelona continues to be at an all-time high.
Against Young Boys midweek, Barcelona did not give them a whiff, beating the Swiss team 5-0. A brace from Robert Lewandowski, goals from Raphinha and Inigo Martinez, and an own goal played key roles in the Catalan club’s triumph.
Despite that result, Hansi Flick will know that returning to winning ways in the league is extremely important, especially with Real Madrid breathing down their neck. Thus, this clash against Alavés holds a lot of importance.
The ultimate goal is to secure three points at Mendizorrotza Stadium. If it comes via a 5-0 trashing, that will only make it sweeter. Let’s see how Hansi Flick’s men bounce back from the setback against Osasuna.
2. Strongest possible XI
After heavily rotating the team against Osasuna by leaving the likes of Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Alejandro Balde, and Marc Casado on the bench which definitely played its part in the incoherent performance, Hansi Flick is likely to name his strongest XI in the game against Alavés.
Despite having just played midweek, with the international break coming up and the need to get a win, the German could name an unchanged XI from the one that took the field against the Swiss side. On paper, that is now his strongest XI with the exception of Ferran Torres.
The only uncertainty for Flick is the selection for the 11th spot: should he start Ferran Torres or Pablo Torre? If not both, could Ansu Fati or Pau Victor earn a starting role? Until Dani Olmo returns, this remains a persistent headache for Flick to navigate in every match.
With his strongest XI on the pitch, the German coach will surely be expecting Barcelona to cruise past Alavés. That said, if any player runs the risk of suffering an injury, he must not be risked and surely, Flick knows this better than all of us.
3. Can Lewandowski take charge in the Pichichi race?
Seven goals in eight games so far in La Liga sees Robert Lewandowski sit pretty atop the La Liga Pichichi standings. A brace midweek in the Champions League only further reinforced the incredible form that he is in so far this campaign.
The Pole has looked rejuvenated under Hansi Flick and looks to be back to his Bayern version – clinical and ruthless. A goal against Alavés on Sunday will already see him make it 10 for the season across all competitions.
The 36-year-old also has the opportunity to pull clear of the rest of the pack in the Pichichi standings if he can score a few goals against Alavés. If Lewandowski has a good game, you can put your money on Barcelona also having a good game.
Robert Lewandowski scoring goals for fun with such consistency only bodes well for Barcelona in the long season ahead. This is what the club expected when they signed the Pole and he is finally coming into his own. May this continue for a long time.
