Barcelona’s experienced striker Robert Lewandowski delivered a crucial win in La Liga on Sunday, defeating Alaves 2-1 with a brilliant performance, ending his goal drought.
Despite Alaves taking an early lead through Samuel Umtiti’s own goal, Lewandowski’s second-half brace turned the tide in favor of Barcelona, earning them three valuable points.
In the first half, Omorodion’s opportunistic goal gave Alaves the advantage, and Barcelona faced defensive weaknesses. The audience had the opportunity to increase their lead, but Barcelona’s goalkeeper, Marc-André ter Stegen, and a resilient defense prevented further damage.
The decisive moment came early in the second half when 35-year-old Lewandowski, facing recent criticism for his performances, scored a fantastic header from Jordi Alba’s cross. The equalizing goal injected new life into Barcelona, prompting coach Xavi to introduce Raphinha, Ferran Torres, and Alejandro Balde in new roles.
Success came when Torres was fouled in the box, resulting in a penalty that Lewandowski confidently converted, securing Barcelona’s victory. This win has brought Barcelona close to league leaders Girona, pushing them ahead of Real Madrid into the second position.
Despite recent setbacks, Xavi stated that Barcelona is not in crisis, emphasizing their responsibility to lift the team out of adversity. The coach made tactical changes, including starting the talented Pedri Gonzalez, deploying Joao Cancelo as the left-back, and reintroducing the 16-year-old prodigy Lamin Yamal.
This victory symbolizes a positive turn for Barcelona, providing a much-needed boost after disappointments in El Clasico and the Champions League. As they continue the pursuit of league leaders Girona, Lewandowski’s resurgence under Xavi’s guidance signals hope for Barcelona’s revival.
