Barcelona 2-1 Alaves: 5 Talking Points

#4 Jordi Alba and Sergi Roberto made a real difference

Jordi Alba and Lionel Messi

As the season approaches a crucial point, Valverde decided to rest a number of key players, including both regular fullbacks. Jordi Alba and Sergi Roberto each have six assists to their name this term, only Messi has more, and their understanding with the attacking players was badly missed in the first half.

Nelson Semedo, the right back, only reached the byline once and Lucas Digne, in for Alba, was stagnant for much of the game and it was evident the Spain international’s ability to get forward was needed.

It took just five minutes of the second half for the double change, but from then Barça grew into the game. Their urgency was back, their linkup was sharper and, suddenly, Messi and Suarez came alive. Jordi Alba’s starting position seemed at least ten yards ahead of Digne’s, while the whole side looked much more balanced after Sergi Roberto’s introduction.