Barcelona 1-1 Alaves: Memphis ends drought but Rioja has last laugh
The Dutchman struck his first goal from open play since August in Barjuan's first match
Yes, there were some improvements but not enough to bring Barcelona three points against a lowly Alaves side, which speaks for itself.
Sergi Barjuan, in his first and quite probably penultimate match as Barcelona’s interim coach, lined up with a 4-3-3, using a backline and midfield entirely formed in La Masia. He didn’t have much choice, given the absentees, from Ansu Fati to Ousmane Dembele, Pedri to Frenkie de Jong, and so on.
Barcelona played at a higher level than they have done this season, with quick passing and movement, leaning back towards the club’s preferred style of play. It helped that the ‘Grade d’animacio’ were in good voice, even though the stadium was half empty.
Eric Garcia burst forward well from central defence, but Kun Aguero overcooked his control and the chance went to waste, while the defender’s header was later clawed away by goalkeeper Antonio Sivera.
Gavi chipped a nice pass through to Jordi Alba who could not capitalise, while Barjuan corrected from the sideline, a constant presence there, unlike the departed Ronald Koeman.
Barcelona slowed down a little towards the end of the half and stopped entirely when Aguero went down, seemingly having trouble breathing. He was able to walk off, replaced by Philippe Coutinho, who took up a place on the left, with Memphis Depay coming inside to play as a false nine.
The Dutchman had a dig from distance and forced a save from Sivera, shortly before the players headed in. He was at it again in the second half, to better effect.
Memphis cut in from the right and curled an effort into the top right corner, from outside the area. It was a sweetly struck goal and his first in open play since August.
A nice moment for him and for Barjuan, although it quickly went to waste when Luis Rioja dribbled past Gerard Pique and then rounded Marc-Andre ter Stegen to level.
Memphis should have put Barcelona ahead twice, with Gavi first setting him up to hit the post, before Nico dropped a ball in for him, with Sivera saving his strike well.
The minutes ticked on by and Barjuan threw Riqui Puig, Alejandro Balde and B-team player Abde Ezzalzouli into the mix. They were bright, but others struggled, Coutinho, in particular.
The Brazilian, lost and ineffective again, curled a free-kick into the stands. It ended, with Barcelona ninth and eight points behind leaders Real Madrid.
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