Yamal, Olmo score goals as Barcelona rallies to beat Alaves | Football News

Goalscorers Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo assist Barcelona struggle again towards Alaves and return to prime of La Liga desk.

Barcelona recovered from an early setback to safe a 3-1 victory over Alaves in La Liga on Saturday, with first-half objectives from Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo and a late second for the latter sealing the win on the Nou Camp.

The triumph lifts final 12 months’s champions to the highest of the standings on 34 factors, two forward of second-placed Actual Madrid, who’ve a recreation in hand at Girona on Sunday.

Of their second match again on the partially renovated Nou Camp after two and a half years of redevelopment, Barcelona overcame a shaky begin amid uncharacteristic scenes of lengthy pre-match ticketing delays that left the stadium half-empty at kickoff.

Based on the membership, the issues had been brought on by technical difficulties that left 1000’s of followers unable to entry their tickets by way of the membership’s cell app, creating lengthy strains on the fan assist workplace and forcing the match to start with swaths of empty seats.

Alaves shocked the hosts within the first minute when Pablo Ibanez struck from shut vary. Barcelona defender Marc Bernal misjudged a nook, permitting Ibanez to pounce on the free ball contained in the six-yard field and neatly slot it into the online together with his first contact.

Nevertheless, Barcelona hit again simply seven minutes later. Alejandro Balde darted down the left flank earlier than feeding Raphinha, who delivered a low cross into the field. The 18-year-old Yamal met the ball on the far publish with a strong one-touch end into the highest nook to degree the rating at 1-1.

Raphinha was instrumental once more within the twenty sixth with one other help, this time for Olmo, who expertly curled the ball residence first-time from contained in the field because the Blaugrana went forward.

Yamal was inches away from doubling his tally within the forty fourth minute after receiving a superb go from Robert Lewandowski, however his effort hit the publish with the aim gaping.

Alaves almost discovered an equaliser simply earlier than the break, when Lucas Boye fired narrowly vast following a swift counterattack.

Olmo seals Barca comeback

Barcelona dominated the second half, with Lewandowski denied by a spectacular reflex save from Alaves keeper Antonio Sivera within the 56th minute. Boye squandered one other likelihood for the guests within the 77th minute, lacking vast from contained in the field.

Olmo put the end result past doubt in added time, ending off a easy one-two with Yamal, whose by way of ball left him free contained in the field to fit residence with composure.

The match additionally marked the return of 23-year-old midfielder Pedri, who made his first look in additional than a month following a muscle damage.

He got here on within the second half to present Barcelona a much-needed increase earlier than Tuesday’s essential conflict towards Atletico Madrid.

Fourth within the La Liga standings with 28 factors, Diego Simeone’s aspect haven’t misplaced within the league since their opening fixture in August.

They’ve a recreation in hand and can host last-placed Oviedo afterward Saturday, aiming to increase a six-game successful run in all competitions.