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Daniel Panero
Madrid
Sábado, 1 de febrero 2025, 16:30
Barcelona begins a pivotal month in their quest for the La Liga title this Sunday. Under the guidance of Hansi Flick, they face Alavés in a potentially tricky match, given past encounters with Las Palmas and Leganés at Lluis Companys. However, their focus is entirely on the domestic league. The initial phase of the Champions League was crucial for the club's viability, allowing the Blaugrana to reduce their match load during a period where the priority is to close the gap with Real Madrid and Atlético.
"The situation is our fault. We've lost many points. We need to win matches, one after another, to put pressure on Madrid. With seven points, it's not easy, but we'll keep fighting," Flick stated on Saturday in the pre-match press conference against Alavés. The German coach knows his team cannot afford more slip-ups and that the moment of truth has arrived for Barça in La Liga, where they must improve their performance and overcome the slump experienced in November and December.
Barcelona arrives at the Alavés match in good form. The team has delivered impressive performances at the start of the year and faces a favourable schedule, including watching the upcoming clash between Real Madrid and Atlético as spectators. This match is crucial for Flick's side, who need to gather as many points as possible this month and hope direct rivals drop points. The first step, however, is to focus on themselves and do their homework. "If you're five or ten percent below what's necessary, you can't win. Everyone is fighting to stay in La Liga, and that's why it's important to show how good Barça is from the start. That's what I always want," he clarified.
To achieve this, the German coach must cope without Dani Olmo. The Tarrasa player is progressing in his recovery but won't be ready for the Alavés match and remains sidelined alongside Ter Stegen, Andreas Christensen, and Marc Bernal. Iñigo Martínez, however, is available, having recovered from a right thigh injury sustained in the Super Cup and trained with his teammates on Saturday. Despite being ready, he won't feature in a lineup where Flick won't experiment. Araujo and Cubarsí will be in defence, Casadó and Pedri will return to the double pivot, and the forward trio of Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, and Lewandowski will be supported by the newly renewed Gavi.
Facing them is a team that has gradually improved in recent weeks. The arrival of Eduardo Coudet has revitalized a group that was struggling and has managed to win challenging matches, such as the victory at Benito Villamarín (1-3). This match is crucial for a team still in danger in the standings but has the potential to believe that salvation is still possible and that securing points at Lluis Companys could be a turning point in the season.
To achieve this difficult mission, Coudet will have all his players available except for the injured Joan Jordán and Sivera and the suspended Abqar due to accumulated bookings. Kike García, the veteran forward, aged 35, arrives at Lluis Companys in top form, being the top national scorer and aiming to lead an Alavés side that will rely on him as their main offensive weapon. The rest of the plan is to hold firm with Coudet's usual 4-5-1 formation and wait for opportunities against Flick's always advanced defence.
Barcelona: Szczesny, Koundé, Araujo, Cubarsí, Balde, Pedri, Casadó, Gavi, Lamine Yamal, Lewandowski, and Raphinha.
Alavés: Owono, Tenaglia, Mouriño, Diarra, Manu Sánchez, Antonio Blanco, Guevara, Carlos Vicente, Guridi, Kike García, and Carlos Martín.
Referee: Munuera Montero (Andalusian Committee).
Time: 14:00 h
Stadium: Lluis Companys.
TV: Movistar LaLiga.
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