Robert Lewandowski bagged a brace as FC Barcelona rallied from behind to defeat Deportivo Alaves 2-1 on Sunday evening.
LaLiga
Result: Barcelona 2-1 Alaves
Date: 12 November 2023
Venue: Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium
Catalans coach Xavi Hernandez made two changes from last weekend's win over Real Sociedad, was Pedri and Lamine Yamal come in for Gavi and Alejandro Balde.
The visitors got off to a perfect start as Samu opened the scoring after just 17 seconds after turning home a low cross from Javi Lopez after Barcelona's defence were caught napping.
Barcelona pushed for the equaliser as Robert Lewandowski went close after 17 minutes, but Alaves goalkeeper Antonio Sivera produced a fine save to keep out the striker's half-volley.
It was one-way traffic for the rest of the first stanza with the home pushing for an equaliser, but they were let down by their finishing as Joules Kounde blazed over the crossbar from point-blank range ten minutes before the break.
The defending league champions carried that momentum into the second half and got their reward eight minutes in as Lewandowski got on end of a cross from Kounde to head past Sivera at the near post.
Xavi opted for a change after that after introducing Raphinha on 63 minutes, while a double change from the hosts followed seven minutes later as Balde and Ferran Torres replaced Joao Felix and Kounde.
The Catalan giants were then awarded a penalty with 15 minutes to play after Torres had been brought down by the trailing leg of Abdel Abqar, which allowed Lewandowski to step up and slot home his second on the evening.
Alaves were unable to find a way back into the contest in the latter stages of the second half, as the Catalans held on for victory, which moves the side four points behind league leaders Girona.
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