Barcelona (AFP)

Barça found their way to the goal three days after the 0-0 in the clasico against Real Madrid on Saturday against Alavés (4-1) for the 18th day of La Liga, despite a big air gap on the return from the locker room, and remains leader before the truce.

Barça dominated the Basque squad with three goals from their fantastic attacking trio (Antoine Griezmann 14th, Lionel Messi 69th and Luis Suarez 75th), as well as a goal from Arturo Vidal (45th), against a unique achievement by Pere Pons (56th) for Alavés.

The "GSM" has found the way to the goals: after remaining silent during the clasico, the attacking trident has returned with all its efficiency against Alavés, to allow Barça to keep the head of the Spanish championship before the truce of Christmas, without waiting for the result of Real Madrid against Athletic Bilbao on Sunday at 9:00 p.m. (8:00 p.m. GMT).

The acrobatic backlash attempted by Arturo Vidal from the 7th minute set the tone of undisputed domination of the Blaugranas ... before being canceled by the referee for an offside position.

Like many attempts by the Catalans (Messi 9th, Griezmann 50th), who could have raised the score many times.

But with four goals, Messi, Suarez and Griezmann end their year 2019 with an efficient and smoothly led match.

The French international, scorer in the 16th, 17th and 18th days in the league for Barça, is back to its best level, after a difficult start in Barcelona, ​​and an autumn crossed on tiptoe, under the fire of critics .

Griezmann now has 7 goals and 4 assists this season for Barça.

FC Barcelona, ​​which will leave for Saudi Arabia to compete for the new version of the Spanish Super Cup from 8 to 12 January, experienced only one drawback in its game: a big air hole on the return from the locker room, which could have s 'prove more serious.

Alavés has multiplied the opportunities, with this hazardous exit by Marc-André ter Stegen outside its surface in front of Lucas Perez's feet, Aleix Vidal's missed shot, or this head flush with the post of Ruben Duarte, all between the 50th and the 60th.

But nothing to do: it is not the most sumptuous Barça in recent years, but it is a more realistic, sturdy Barça, which finishes the calendar year in first place in La Liga.

Results of the 18th day:

Friday

Eibar - Granada 3 - 0

Saturday

Majorca - Seville 0 - 2

Barcelona - Alavés 4 - 1

(5.30 p.m. GMT) Villarreal - Getafe

(20:00 GMT) Valladolid - Valence CF

Sunday

(11:00 GMT) Leganés - Espanyol Barcelona

(1:00 p.m. GMT) Osasuna - Real Sociedad

(15:00 GMT) Betis Seville - Atlético Madrid

(5.30 p.m. GMT) Levante - Celta Vigo

(20:00 GMT) Real Madrid - Athletic Bilbao

© 2019 AFP