After the 6-1 Rout of Alavés, Flick Hails Barcelona's Reaction as a Title Clash at Atlético Looms

Barcelona’s 6-1 thrashing of Deportivo Alavés on Saturday, Oct. 31, was about more than the scoreline. Coming off back-to-back losses to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League and Real Madrid in El Clásico, Hansi Flick got the response he wanted, while juggling a depleted defense and managing Lamine Yamal’s workload.

Raphinha and Lamine Yamal each scored twice at Spotify Camp Nou, Fermín López scored once and set up two, and substitute Anthony Gordon added a sixth before Mariano Díaz’s late consolation for Alavés.

What did Hansi Flick say after Barcelona vs. Alavés?

Flick framed the win as a test of character. “This is what I want to see after these two defeats. How we react, it was good and in the right way,” he said, per ESPN.

He singled out his attackers: “For Lamine it was a great game, but it was good to see the level of the attack: Fermín, Rapha.”

The victory was also Flick’s 100th as Barcelona coach since taking over in 2024, ESPN reported. “When we started, we hoped we would have 100 games for Barça, so 100 victories is a great situation,” he said.

Why was Lamine Yamal subbed off early?

With the game won, Flick took Yamal off for roughly the final 20 minutes, only the fourth time he has substituted the teenager this season, according to ESPN. Yamal has started all 18 games for Barcelona and Spain this season.

“When you score two goals, it’s easier to go out,” Flick said. He added that he had spoken with Yamal at halftime about managing his minutes, saying it was good that his confidence in one-on-one situations was back, “but it also important he has less minutes.”

A makeshift back line held up

Barcelona played without four defenders: Xavi Espart, Andreas Christensen, Jules Koundé and Eric García, Flick said, per ESPN. To cover, midfielder Frenkie de Jong lined up at center back, and 20-year-old midfielder Brian Fariñas made his first start at right back.

“At the moment we have to think different,” Flick said. He said De Jong told him, “Yes, when I can help the team I will do it,” and praised Fariñas as “focused, top in training, very professional.” Flick also noted Fariñas’ connection with Yamal on the right flank; the two played together at youth level.

Flick said he does not yet know when the injured defenders will return.

Fermín López’s big night

López was involved in three of the first-half goals. He set up Raphinha’s opener in the eighth minute, scored the second himself from a tight angle in the 23rd, and sent Raphinha through for the third, AFP reported. AFP described López’s goal as fortunate, noting he appeared to be trying to cross before the ball went in at the far post.

“It was a hard week for us, there was no better place than Camp Nou in front of our fans,” López told Movistar, per AFP. “They make the difference, Lamine and Raphinha, with them we will achieve big things.”

Raphinha’s brace took him to 15 LaLiga goals, the most in the league, BBC Sport reported.

What do the LaLiga standings look like?

The win moved Barcelona back to first place, two points ahead of Atlético Madrid, which had briefly gone top earlier Saturday with a 2-0 win at Levante, per AFP. Barcelona has 10 wins from 11 league games, according to ESPN.

Real Madrid, third, plays at Racing Santander on Sunday, AFP reported, so the table can still move this weekend.

Alavés, meanwhile, has gone seven matches without a win but sits 10th, according to AFP. “We have to turn the page quickly,” midfielder Ander Guevara said. “We don’t need to sound the alarms, we know we’re on a bad run, but we’re a mature and humble team.”

Before kickoff, all of Saturday’s LaLiga matches observed a minute’s silence for the 69 victims of this week’s train crash in the province of Toledo, AFP reported.

What’s next for Barcelona?

Barcelona hosts Aston Villa in the Champions League on Tuesday, Nov. 3, then travels to face Atlético Madrid next weekend in a top-of-the-table LaLiga clash before the international break, according to ESPN and AFP.

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Earlier coverage: Barcelona 6-1 Alavés: Raphinha and Lamine Yamal Score Twice as Barça Return to Top of LaLiga (Oct 31)