Enlarge image
İlkay Gündoğan celebrates his goal to make it 2-0
Photo: Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images
With ex-Bayern star Robert Lewandowski's first goal in the league in almost two months and a goal from Ilkay Gündogan, Spanish football champions FC Barcelona have moved a little closer to the top ranks. Lewandowski scored the opening goal in the 22nd minute in the 3-1 (1-0) game at Deportivo Alavés. It was the Pole's first goal since December 10, 2023.
The German international Gündoğan prepared Lewandowski's ninth goal of the season and then scored himself to make it 2-0 (49th minute). A little later, Alavés hit back through Samu Omorodion (51'). In the 59th minute, Vitor Roque, Barça's winter signing, came onto the field for the ailing Gündoğan - and had a wild few minutes: the 18-year-old made it 3-1 (63'), saw a yellow card (67') and received a yellow card shortly afterwards Yellow-red (72nd). Roque only moved to Barcelona from his home country of Brazil at the beginning of January. He has already scored two goals in the league.
Once again Barça was involved in a turbulent game. Last Sunday, the Catalans came from 2-0 down against Villarreal to end up losing 5-3. Coach Xavi Hernández announced his departure after the game. The Barça legend will leave the club in the summer despite having an ongoing contract.
In third place, Barça narrowed the gap to leaders Real Madrid to seven points. The Royals can still follow suit in the city derby against Atlético Madrid on Sunday (9 p.m.).
mlb/dpa/sid