Barcelona’s defensive absences give Alavés an opening at Camp Nou
Barcelona need to respond to their first league defeat of the season, with Hansi Flick facing a defensive reshuffle after several fresh injuries. Alavés arrive without a league win in five matches, but the weakened home defence gives them an opportunity to make the contest uncomfortable.
Barcelona’s 2–1 defeat to Real Madrid ended a run of nine consecutive league wins. They remain top, but Flick’s immediate challenge is to rebuild the defence without losing the attacking rhythm that has made his side so productive.
Barcelona should have enough to win, but Alavés may find a way through the makeshift defence in a game likely to produce at least three goals.
Eric García, Andreas Christensen and Xavi Espart are unavailable, while Jules Koundé is the defender most likely to return but remains uncertain. Dani Olmo and Roony Bardghji are also listed as injured. Reports name Facundo Garcés and Mikel Rodríguez among Alavés’ absentees, although their status has not been confirmed in a current official club statement.
Barcelona lead the table with 27 points from ten matches and have scored 40 league goals. Alavés are seventh on 12 points, with 14 goals scored; both sides have conceded 11. The gap between them is therefore much clearer in attack than in their defensive records.
Barcelona have won 36 of the teams’ 51 meetings across all competitions. Alavés ended a six-match losing run against them in May, a result that gives the visitors a recent example of how the established order can be overturned.
