Barcelona 6-1 Alavés: Fermín, Yamal and Raphinha revive Barça after two defeats

Hansi Flick went into the game with a patched-up defence: Frenkie de Jong at centre-back and Brian Fariñas making his first start, with Jules Koundé, Andreas Christensen, Eric García and Xavi Espart all unavailable. Alavés lasted eight minutes. Fermín López then split the line and Raphinha finished.

Barça did not rush after that. Fermín doubled the lead in the 23rd minute, then won the ball in midfield and sent Raphinha away for the third in the 41st. In added time, Lamine Yamal made it 4-0 from a João Cancelo pass. The second half was little more than game management: Yamal scored again in the 64th minute, Gordon in the 81st, and Mariano Díaz pulled one back in the 84th.

Thirteen shots, six goals

Barcelona had 77% of possession, 836 passes to 242 and 3.3 expected goals to 0.78. Their control was clear, but the most striking figure was their efficiency: 13 shots, 7 on target, 6 goals. Antonio Sivera made just one save.

A return like that will not be repeated every week, and 6 goals from 3.3 expected also point to a rare night of finishing. Alavés did not give up, though: 7 shots, 3 on target, 2 saves from Joan García and 5 offsides, a sign of repeated runs in behind a rejigged defence.

Fermín everywhere, VAR comes to Yamal's aid

8th: Fermín sets up Raphinha. 23rd: from a Yamal pass, Fermín scores. 41st: Fermín again, this time the provider after winning the ball, for Raphinha's second. 45+1: Cancelo finds Yamal, who finishes.

64th: Gabriel Jesus, on for two minutes, sets up Yamal. The goal is confirmed by VAR. 81st: Rodri slips the ball in behind for Gordon, who races through on goal. 84th: Mariano Díaz scores unassisted, from his only shot of the match.

Real relief, but the defence is still on trial

The game turned very early, on the goal in the 8th minute that robbed Alavés of their plan of two tight lines. Once behind, the Basques had to come out, and the space fed Fermín, Yamal and Raphinha. SNA's assessment remains measured: this big win answers the defeats against PSG and Real Madrid without removing the doubts about the back line.

The defence was improvised and still conceded with the score at 6-0. Alavés, 10th in the table, did not offer the same opposition as PSG or Real Madrid. Aston Villa and then Atlético Madrid follow within the next eight days.

Flick manages minutes, his substitutes score

Flick took off Pedri at half-time, booked in the 40th minute, for Marc Bernal. Balde and Gabriel Jesus came on in the 62nd, Gordon in the 74th and Gerard Martín in the 82nd. Jesus provided an assist and Gordon scored. Quique Sánchez Flores used all his substitutions, and Mariano, introduced in the 74th, scored Alavés's only goal.

Yusi, 90 minutes in an overrun defence

Morocco's Yusi played all 90 minutes in the Alavés defence: 2 tackles, 5 duels won out of 9 and 3 fouls, in a team that conceded six goals. SNA rating: 5.5.

Two-point lead before a busy week

Barcelona have 30 points from 11 matches, 2 points clear of Atlético Madrid and 3 ahead of Real Madrid, with a goal difference of +34. Alavés remain 10th with 12 points and have not won in their last five La Liga games. Barça face Aston Villa in the Champions League on Tuesday, then travel to the Metropolitano the following Sunday to take on Atlético, with top spot in La Liga at stake.

SNA player of the match: Fermín López

Fermín López was involved in three of the four first-half goals: two assists for Raphinha and one goal scored. He finishes with 4 key passes and 78 passes in 90 minutes. The midfield recovery that led to the third goal shows he also made his mark without the ball.