Liga (12th day): FC Barcelona hung by Alavés (1-1) despite a gem from Memphis Depay

The electroshock Sergi Barjuan did not take place. Barcelona conceded a sad draw on Saturday against Alavés, 16th at kick-off (1-1). Three minutes after the opening of the magnificent score of Memphis Depay (49th), the Blaugranas conceded the equalizer of Luis Rioja and never managed to regain the advantage despite their domination (nearly 80% of possession). Barça is now ninth (16 points) and is lagging behind in the race for Europe.

Not in the rhythm, the “Kun” had not really weighed on the opposing defense until then. He was replaced by Philippe Coutinho. The Brazilian was not very visible, but above all it had the merit of tipping Memphis Depay in the axis. By far the most moving Barcelona attacker, the Dutchman ended up unblocking the situation after more than a half of sterile domination barely marked by a good header from Eric Garcia deflected by Antonio Sivera (18th). On an innocuous pass on the left side, he surprised his vis-à-vis to get back on his right foot and send a marvelous strike wound into the opposite net (1-0, 49th).

Depay, Barcelona’s only offensive presence

If Barça’s lack of offensive edge in the first half was a good indication of the team’s excitement, Alavés’ equalizer is another. Only three minutes after the opening of the scoring, Luis Rioja was left quite alone to combine with Joselu, infiltrate the area, erase Marc-André ter Stegen and equalize on the visitors’ first strike on target (1-1 , 52nd). Still as dominating, especially thanks to the slaughter of the promising duo formed by young Nico Gonzalez and Gavi in ​​the middle, the Culés regained control of the match, in vain.

They came up against an imperial Sivera in front of Depay (61st) and replaced by his post, still in front of the former Lyonnais, a few minutes earlier (59th). They especially failed in the face of their offensive deficiencies, like a non-existent right side in the absence of a specialist in the position. It was therefore still not the evening of Barça, who also lost Gérard Piqué to a muscle injury. Ninth, the Blaugranas are 5 points from 4th place and 8 points from Real, 1st. The urgency is for the remobilization before the match in Kiev, Tuesday, in the Champions League.