Deportivo Alaves 1-0 Barcelona Player Ratings: Ibrahim Diabate 8.5/10 Stoppage-Time Strike Stuns Champions Barcelona in Vital Alaves Survival Win

What a stunning result at the Estadio de Mendizorroza. This was a classic David vs Goliath story playing out right before our eyes. Deportivo Alavés pulled off a monumental upset, defeating the mighty FC Barcelona 1-0 in a gritty, backs-to-the-wall performance. Barcelona, as expected, dominated the ball, but it was a night of immense frustration for them. They huffed and puffed but simply could not blow the house down.

The entire narrative of this La Liga clash was defined in a single moment. Just as the halftime whistle loomed, Ibrahim Diabaté produced a moment of magic. He finished coolly to send the home fans into delirium. It was a goal that felt like it came against the run of play, yet it was all Alavés needed. Their game plan was executed to absolute perfection.

We watched as Alavés defended with incredible heart and organization. They were compact, they were disciplined, and they threw their bodies on the line. Barcelona tried to respond in the second half, with H. Flick making several changes, but it was to no avail. The Alavés defense, marshaled brilliantly by their backline, held firm to secure a historic victory. This match will be remembered for Alavés's sheer grit and a clinical finish that stunned the football world. Here are Sportsdunia's Deportivo Alaves vs Barcelona player ratings.

Key Takeaways

• Ibrahim Diabate was outstanding, and his 8.5/10 rating was fully deserved in what was arguably his most important performance of the entire La Liga season.
• Barcelona's rotated lineup looked disjointed and toothless from the first whistle to the last.
• Alaves' defensive resilience in the second half was every bit as impressive as their attacking contributions in the first.

Barcelona Player Ratings vs Deportivo Alaves

Check out the Barcelona player ratings vs Deportivo Alaves.

Goalkeeper

Wojciech Szczesny - 6.5: Had a bit of a mixed bag of an evening. He made three saves, including a key stop from a Diabaté header in the second half. However, he was beaten for the goal just before halftime. We noticed his distribution was solid, with 88% passing accuracy, but ultimately, he couldn't keep the clean sheet that his team so desperately needed. A decent performance, but the conceded goal tarnishes it.

Defenders

Alejandro Balde - 6.0: An energetic but ultimately ineffective performance from the left-back. He got up and down the wing, contributing 72 touches and even creating one chance. However, his final ball was lacking. He was solid in his duels, winning 4 out of 7, but was caught out defensively for the corner that led to the goal. He was substituted late on as Barcelona chased the game.

Pau Cubarsí - 6.5: A composed display from the young defender before being substituted. His passing was almost flawless, completing 57 of 59 passes. He made a number of important clearances and tackles, showing a maturity beyond his years. What stood out to us was his calmness on the ball. He did struggle in the air a bit, losing three aerial duels, but it was a solid outing that was cut short.

Jules Koundé - 7.0: Probably Barcelona's best player on a disappointing night. He was a constant threat from the right, pushing forward and delivering an impressive 14 passes into the final third. His 96% pass accuracy shows his quality on the ball. He was diligent in his defensive duties too, with two interceptions. We felt he was one of the few players who genuinely tried to make things happen for the visitors.

Álvaro Cortés - 6.5: A steady performance from the central defender. He was strong in the air, winning four aerial duels, and his passing from the back was reliable, completing 94% of his attempts. He made five crucial clearances and an interception. While he was part of a defense that was rarely troubled for long spells, he couldn't prevent the single lapse in concentration that cost his team the game. Solid, but not spectacular.

Midfielders

Marcus Rashford - 5.5: A really frustrating night for the attacker. He was full of running and intent but lacked any sort of clinical edge. He had three shots, but none troubled the keeper. We noticed he lost possession a staggering 18 times, which killed many of Barcelona's attacks. He picked up a yellow card for a clumsy challenge. It was a performance that promised much but delivered very little.

Marc Casadó - 6.0: A busy but mixed performance in the middle of the park. He created two chances and his passing was generally tidy. However, he lost possession 11 times and struggled to impose himself on the game against a tenacious Alavés midfield. He was substituted just after the hour mark as Flick looked for a more creative spark. An industrious but forgettable outing.

Roony Bardghji - 6.0: Similar to his fellow attackers, Bardghji showed flashes of danger without any end product. He attempted six dribbles, completing three, and tried to be positive on the ball. However, his shooting was wayward, and he struggled to make a decisive impact. He was another player sacrificed in the second-half reshuffle. A learning experience for the young winger.

Dani Olmo - 6.5: He was one of Barcelona's more creative players, creating two key passes and always looking to link play between midfield and attack. His passing was mostly accurate, and he put in a defensive shift with five ball recoveries. He tried to unlock the stubborn Alavés defense but, like his teammates, found it an impossible task. A decent effort in a losing cause.

Marc Bernal - 7.0: A really impressive and combative display from the midfielder. He was everywhere, winning 9 of his 15 duels and making three interceptions. His aggression and reading of the game were top-notch. On the ball, he was progressive, with 12 passes into the final third. What stood out to us was his all-action style, which was a rare positive for Barcelona. A shame he ended up on the losing side.

Forwards

Robert Lewandowski - 5.0: A ghost of a performance from the Polish striker. He was completely anonymous, touching the ball only 21 times all game. He was starved of service, but he also did little to get involved. He lost most of his aerial duels and offered no threat whatsoever. A night he will want to forget very quickly. One of his worst displays in a Barcelona shirt.

Substitutes

Pedri - 6.5: Brought on to add creativity and immediately looked a class above.

Ferran Torres - 6.0: Added energy but no end product.

João Cancelo - 6.0: Got forward, but his crossing was poor, and he picked up a needless yellow.

Xavi Espart - N/A.

Tomás Marqués - N/A.

Manager

H. Flick - 5.5: His team had all the possession but no cutting edge. The game plan seemed to be to pass the ball around without any real penetration. His substitutions were logical but failed to change the outcome. He will be deeply concerned by the lack of creativity and the inability to break down a well-organized, deep-lying defense. A tough night at the office.

Deportivo Alaves Player Ratings vs Barcelona

Here are the Deportivo Alaves player ratings vs Barcelona.

Goalkeeper

Antonio Sivera - 7.0: He didn't have many difficult saves to make, but everything he did, he did with confidence. He commanded his area well, claiming high balls and making two important clearances. What stood out to us was his composure under pressure, especially in the frantic final minutes. His distribution wasn't the best, but his primary job was to keep the ball out, and he did that perfectly.

Defenders

Ángel Pérez - 6.5: A solid if unspectacular outing on the flank. He was part of a defensive unit that was simply heroic. He made five clearances and battled hard, though he struggled at times with Barcelona's tricky wingers. He lost possession quite a bit, but his defensive contribution was invaluable on a famous night for his club.

Nahuel Tenaglia - 8.0: An absolute rock at the back for Alavés. This was a colossal defensive performance. He won 7 of his 9 duels, made a staggering 8 clearances, and 3 interceptions. He even forced a save from Szczesny with a shot in the first half. He was a defensive wall that Barcelona simply could not breach. A man of the match contender.

Ville Koski - 7.5: A fantastic partner for Tenaglia in central defense. He was positionally superb, making 4 clearances and blocking 2 shots. He was calm and composed, making crucial interventions time and again. He read the game beautifully, making two key interceptions. A disciplined and commanding performance that was key to the clean sheet.

Abde Rebbach - 7.0: A tireless performance from the defender. He made 4 tackles and 4 clearances, working his socks off to contain Barcelona's right side. He was aggressive, sometimes overly so, picking up a yellow card for his troubles. He wasn't always tidy in possession, but his defensive work-rate was immense. He played a huge part in this victory.

Victor Parada - 7.0: Put in a great shift before his substitution. He was strong in his duels and made several important defensive actions, including an interception and a tackle. He kept his flank secure and showed great discipline. A really solid team performance to which he contributed significantly.

Midfielders

Denis Suárez - 6.5: A tidy but quiet performance against his former club. He kept the ball moving but struggled to create much going forward. He was tactically disciplined, helping his team maintain their shape before being substituted. A professional job without any fireworks.

Antonio Blanco - 8.0: The creative heart of this Alavés victory. He was simply superb. He provided the crucial assist for Diabaté's goal with a clever header. But it was his overall play that caught our eye. He created four chances in total, a huge number against a team like Barcelona. He was a constant threat with his set-piece delivery and vision. An outstanding performance.

Jon Guridi - 7.5: A machine in the midfield. He won an incredible 9 out of 13 duels and completed 4 successful dribbles. He was a bundle of energy, breaking up play and driving his team forward whenever possible. He also created a chance and was a general nuisance all night. A classic all-action midfield display.

Forwards

Toni Martínez - 6.0: A thankless task for the striker, but he did his job for the team. He battled for everything, winning a remarkable 11 aerial duels. He was a physical presence that occupied Barcelona's defenders, even if his own chances went begging. He lost the ball a lot, but his work rate and physicality were crucial to the team's strategy.

Ibrahim Diabaté - 8.5: The match-winner and hero of the night. His goal was taken with the composure of a seasoned veteran, a clinical finish that decided the contest. He was a livewire throughout his time on the pitch, registering three shots and always looking to get in behind.

Substitutes

Aitor Mañas - 6.0: Came on and worked hard to help see out the game.

Pablo Ibáñez - 6.5: Added fresh legs and defensive solidity in midfield.

Carlos Protesoni - N/A.

Manager

E. Sánchez Flores - 8.5: A tactical masterclass. He set his team up perfectly to frustrate Barcelona and hit them on the counter or from a set-piece. The plan worked to perfection. His team was organized, disciplined, and fought for every ball. He deserves immense credit for masterminding one of the shocks of the season. A brilliant coaching performance.

Man of the Match

Ibrahim Diabate was the man of the match.

Worst Performer

Robert Lewandowski was the worst performer.