A Barcelona side still basking in title glory travels to face a Deportivo Alavés team desperately fighting for points under Quique Sánchez Flores. This Wednesday’s clash at Mendizorroza presents one of Spanish football’s most classic and dramatic scenarios: the collision between dire need and the satisfaction of a job well done. While Alavés languishes in the relegation zone after an insufficient draw against Elche, Barça lands in Vitoria freshly crowned La Liga champions following their Clásico victory.
The big question is whether Hansi Flick’s men will be too relaxed after securing the title, allowing the hosts to break a nearly decade-long winless streak against the Blaugrana. Despite the vast gap in the standings, statistics suggest a more balanced contest than expected. Alavés has proven to be a giant-killer at home, suffering only one defeat against top-five sides. Meanwhile, Barça, though relentless at home, has shown vulnerabilities on the road with four recent losses. With a historic points-difference record on the line for the Catalans and survival for the Basques, the mental factor will be as decisive as the tactical one under the intense atmosphere expected in Vitoria.
**Alavés vs Barcelona: Key Information**
– **Date:** Wednesday, May 13
– **Kick-off:** 21:30 local time
– **Venue:** Mendizorroza (Vitoria)
– **TV Channel:** Movistar Plus+ and Movistar LALIGA
**Alavés News: All or Nothing in Mendizorroza**
For Quique Sánchez Flores’ side, this match is a do-or-die final. The team’s inability to close out games—having squandered seven crucial points from winning positions in the final stretch—has turned a once-comfortable season into a relegation nightmare. The confirmed absences of Toni Martínez and Jon Guridi in the last 24 hours are a heavy blow to the attacking setup, forcing the coach to seek urgent solutions from a bench that must respond in the most important game of the year.
The home side’s hope lies in their resilience throughout the campaign, having been one of the teams that recovers the most points after falling behind. Antonio Blanco will be the team’s thermometer in midfield; his ability to contain Barça’s transitions without an early yellow card will be vital for Alavés to stay in the game. The team needs to rediscover its home scoring instinct—most recent home matches have seen exactly two goals—to try to overcome a champion arriving with slightly lower intensity.
**Probable Alavés Lineup:**
Sivera; Rebbach, Parada, Tenaglia, Jonny, Ángel Pérez; Blanco, Denis Suárez, Ibáñez; Toni Martínez and Diabaté.
**Barcelona News: The Pursuit of Perfection**
Barça arrives in Vitoria in a state of controlled euphoria after securing their 29th league title on an emotionally charged night. With the trophy already in the cabinet, Hansi Flick’s challenge is to maintain competitive tension in a group that has won 11 consecutive matches. The objective now is statistical and moral: surpass the 15-point gap over Real Madrid and continue refining the high-press system that has suffocated all rivals in the second half of the season, despite the absence of a key player like Raphinha due to suspension.
On an individual level, all eyes are on Joan García, who has become the defensive backbone.