Camp Nou's echoes still reverberated through Vitoria as Barcelona descended upon the Mendizorroza Stadium for their La Liga clash against Alavés. The atmosphere was electric, with the Basque faithful roaring their support for their underdogs, while the Blaugrana faithful chanted their anthems, eager to witness another display of their team's dominance.
From the get-go, it was evident that Xavi's men were in no mood for complacency. Their high-pressing game suffocated Alavés, forcing turnovers and creating chances galore. The Basques, led by the valiant Manu García, held their ground initially, but the relentless waves of attacks proved too much to withstand.In the seventh minute, the inevitable occurred. Raphinha's pinpoint cross found Robert Lewandowski, whose towering header soared into the net. The Mendizorroza fell silent, stunned by the sheer brilliance of the Polish striker. Just 15 minutes later, Lewandowski struck again, this time latching onto a sumptuous Pedri pass and finishing with aplomb. The Alavés defense was in disarray, and the Catalans were smelling blood.
The relentless assault continued, and before the half-hour mark, Lewandowski completed his hat-trick. Ousmane Dembélé's incisive pass split the Alavés backline, and Lewandowski made no mistake, slotting the ball past Roberto Jiménez.
The second half was a mere formality. Alavés, utterly demoralized, offered little resistance as Barcelona continued to assert their supremacy. Ansu Fati, introduced as a substitute, added a fourth goal in the 75th minute, capping off a perfect night for the Catalans.As the final whistle blew, the Mendizorroza erupted in applause. Barcelona had delivered a footballing masterclass, but they also showed respect for their valiant opponents. The Catalans left Vitoria with three points and a renewed belief in their ability to achieve great things this season.
The road ahead may be fraught with challenges, but Barcelona have proven that they possess the quality, the depth, and the determination to overcome all obstacles and emerge victorious. The treble dreams are alive and well, and the Blaugrana faithful can rest assured that their team is firing on all cylinders.