LaLiga
Result: Deportivo Alaves 0-2 FC Barcelona
Date: 23 April 2019
Venue: Mendizorrotza Stadium
FC Barcelona edged closer to securing the LaLiga title after defeating Deportivo Alaves 2-0 at the Mendizorrotza Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Barca started without a few key players such as Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba, who both began the clash on the bench.
Alaves seemed rattled, as Luis Suarez closed in to the opener five minutes in but Fernando Pacheco strayed down to make a save with Phillipe Coutinho fluffing the rebound.
Barca look to end a spell of poor movements with the opener 28 minutes in, but Pacheco leaned side-ways to block a low shot from Suarez.
Alaves found their first opportunity five minutes to halftime when a floating header from Rodrigo Ely hit the top of the net.
With the first half done and dusted, injury forced Alaves into a change at the restart with Diego Rolan replaced by Darko Brasanac following hamstring strain.
Barca received a scare 51 minutes in after Ruben Duarte looked for the top corner with a left-foot curler, but Marc Andre Ter Stegen plucked it out of the air.
The Catalans had their noses in front 54 minutes in after Carles Alena curled the ball around Pacheco after bursting into the area.
Nerves set in on Alaves, who conceded a penalty after the Video Assistant Refereeing team ruled a handball inside the penalty area. Suarez showcased composure 60 minutes in to fire over an outstretched Pacheco in doubling their tally.
Ernesto Valverde decided to bring in the big guns, as Messi and Alba took off the tracksuits a minute later.
Despite the tempo slowing in the final minutes, Barca continued looking for more goals as Arturo Vidal found the side-netting from a header.
In the end, Barca had done enough to claim three points, which sees them only needing one more win to claim the title.
