Olmo brace propels Barcelona to temporary La Liga top spot against Alaves

Dani Olmo netted twice as Barcelona secured a provisional lead at the top of La Liga with a 3-1 victory over Alaves on Saturday.

Pablo Ibanez gave the away side an unexpected early advantage just a minute in, but Barcelona responded swiftly via young sensation Lamine Yamal, assisted by the recently returned Raphinha.

Olmo put Barcelona ahead during the first half and added a late strike to confirm the win in their second fixture back at the renovated Camp Nou stadium.

Barcelona now hold a two-point edge over second-placed Real Madrid ahead of Xabi Alonsos team facing Girona on Sunday.

Following a 3-0 midweek Champions League defeat to Chelsea, Barcelonas 126th anniversary festivities were somewhat muted, yet they managed a fourth straight league triumph.

"They surprised us right at the start, but the squad recovered strongly, sticking to our playing style, we scored first, then the second, controlled the match and claimed the points," Olmo said to DAZN.

"Playing here and scoring to aid the teams success is a dream realised."

The side missed Ronald Araujo and Frenkie de Jong, with Jules Kounde benched after his own goal in the Stamford Bridge encounter.

Flick handed Brazilian forward Raphinha his first start post-injury and reintegrated Marc Bernal into the midfield for his initial Barcelona appearance since August 2024, after an extended absence due to knee surgery.

Barcelona had dominated Athletic Bilbao 4-0 in their previous home return last week, but Alaves provided much tougher resistance.

The away team struck first within the opening minute, Ibanez converting after Marc Casado mishandled a corner and Victor Parada redirected towards goal.

Flicks team hit back promptly, Yamal smashing the ball into the net from Raphinhas low pass, which Olmo had attempted but failed to connect with.

Barcelona keeper Joan Garcia pulled off an excellent stop to thwart Calebe shortly before the home side went ahead. 

Raphinha contributed once more, passing across for Olmo to power the ball into the near corner.

Pedri return

Yamal nearly doubled Barcelonas lead, but after bypassing Antonio Sivera, he could only hit the post.

Lucas Boye came close for the visitors, shooting just wide before the break.

Barcelona midfielder Pedri Gonzalez made his injury comeback as a second-half substitute, receiving a warm welcome from the 45000 supporters in the available stands.

Yamal bent a shot just off target from distance, and an Olmo attempt rolled beyond the upright as Barcelona found it hard to seal the result.

Alaves threatened to equalise via Boye, but Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsi made a crucial intervention to deny the Basque outfit.

In the end, Olmo delivered the decisive third goal in added time, finishing past Sivera following Yamals lively assist.

"We failed to hold our advantage, but we created opportunities afterwards," Alaves defender Jonny Otto commented to DAZN.

"Forcing Barcelona to eagerly await the end is no simple task."