Seoul Gazette - Barca ease past Alaves despite Roque red

NYSE - LSE

CMSC	-0.3%	21.725	$
GSK	1.19%	51.35	$
RIO	-0.32%	91.22	$
AZN	0.58%	169.26	$
CMSD	-0.09%	21.98	$
NGG	-0.09%	82.3	$
BTI	1.84%	60.96	$
RBGPF	-1.11%	66	$
RELX	4.5%	34.41	$
VOD	-0.66%	15.15	$
RYCEF	-1.05%	18.17	$
BP	-0.25%	43.82	$
BCE	0.42%	21.3	$
BCC	1.77%	77.84	$
JRI	1.23%	13.06	$

Barca ease past Alaves despite Roque red

SPORTS 03.02.2024

Barca ease past Alaves despite Roque red / Photo: © AFP

Barcelona earned a 3-1 win at Alaves in La Liga on Saturday with Brazilian teenager Vitor Roque scoring and then sent off in a lively appearance off the bench.

Text size:

The champions, third, took the lead through Robert Lewandowski in the first half and doubled their advantage when Ilkay Gundogan volleyed home soon after the break.

Samu Omorodion pulled a goal back for the hosts before 18-year-old striker Roque pounced and a few minutes later was harshly dismissed.

Barcelona's victory helps them cut the gap on league leaders Real Madrid to seven points before Los Blancos face Atletico Madrid in a derby clash Sunday.

They have won both of their matches since Xavi announced last weekend he would leave the club at the end of the season.

Xavi selected Andreas Christensen in defensive midfield for the first time in his Barcelona career, with the Catalans still unable to find a reliable replacement for Sergio Busquets.

The Danish defender was solid and showed Xavi he is an option for the future in the role, ahead of the out-of-favour Oriol Romeu.

Alaves, 12th, started quickly and put the visitors on the back foot in the early stages, but could not capitalise on their pressure.

Barcelona took the lead when Lewandowski delightfully dinked home after a good team move, with Gundogan threading a pass through to him.

It was the veteran forward's first goal in La Liga since October, when he netted in a 4-2 defeat by surprise title challengers Girona.

The Catalans struck again after the break when Pedri scooped a fine ball to the back post for Gundogan, who did well to keep a controlled volley under the crossbar.

Alaves instantly hit back with Omorodion heading home Alex Sola's cross after escaping the attentions of Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo.

Xavi's side kept their heads up and grabbed the third through substitute Roque, who arrived in the January transfer window from Brazilian side Athletico Paranaense.

Electric 16-year-old winger Lamine Yamal turned brilliantly to start an attack which culminated when Roque finished coolly from Hector Fort's pass.

Roque's cameo from the bench lasted less than 15 minutes, after he was shown two yellow cards.

The second was for a supposed foul on Rafa Marin which appeared an innocuous challenge, but there was no video review as VAR cannot ask officials to check second yellow card incidents.

Later Saturday Girona, second, can overtake Madrid provisionally if they beat Real Sociedad at home.

B.Lee--SG

Featured

Joshua survives knockdowns, stops Prenga

Two-time heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua survived two early knockdowns on the way to a second-round knockout of Kristian Prenga on Sunday, his triumphant ring return paving the way for a blockbuster all-British bout with Tyson Fury.

Ohtani delays throwing session over knee 'regression'

Japanese batting and pitching star Shohei Ohtani postponed a planned bullpen throwing session on Saturday over what Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts called "regression" in his left knee injury.

Hiltz extends US 1,500 streak, Lyles advances in 200

Nikki Hiltz captured her fourth consecutive 1,500-meter US outdoor title while Noah Lyles and Melissa Jefferson-Wooden cruised into the 200m finals on Saturday at the US Athletics Championships.

Hodge, Hope give West Indies edge in rain-impacted Pakistan Test

Kavem Hodge's dogged unbeaten 83 and the support of Shai Hope in an unbroken fourth-wicket stand took the West Indies to 194 for three at the end of a rain-shortened first day of the first Test against Pakistan at the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad on Saturday.