Barcelona are back in La Liga action just days after sealing the title, and they're heading to the Basque Country for a midweek showdown with Deportivo Alavés on Wednesday night. Fresh off a memorable El Clásico victory, the Catalan giants are riding high—but they'll need to dig deep into their squad depth to keep the momentum going.
The celebrations are still echoing around Camp Nou after Barcelona wrapped up their 29th La Liga crown with a commanding 2-0 win over Real Madrid. That result made it a perfect 18 wins from 18 home league matches this season—a staggering record that highlights just how dominant Hansi Flick's side have been on their own turf. The title triumph came on the back of a gritty 2-1 away win at CA Osasuna, extending their league winning streak to an impressive 11 matches. With the trophy already in the cabinet, this trip to Alavés offers a chance to keep the good vibes rolling.
However, Flick faces some selection headaches, particularly out wide. Young sensation Lamine Yamal has been ruled out for the remainder of the domestic season after picking up a hamstring injury—a blow for a player who has lit up the league with his flair and creativity. Raphinha is also unavailable; the Brazilian recently returned from injury but is now suspended after accumulating too many yellow cards. Meanwhile, Andreas Christensen remains a doubt—he's back in training but still not fully match fit.
With the title already secured, expect Flick to rotate his squad heavily. This could mean opportunities for some of the fringe players to stake their claim. The predicted starting XI reflects that: J. Garcia in goal; a backline of Kounde, E. Garcia, Araujo, and Balde; a midfield trio of Cassado and Bernal; with Rashford, Bardghji, and Fermin supporting Lewandowski up front. It's a lineup that blends experience with youthful energy, and it'll be interesting to see how they gel on the night.
The match kicks off at 8:30pm BST on Wednesday, 13th May. For fans in the UK, you can catch all the action live on Premier Sports 2. Whether you're cheering on Barça or just love the drama of La Liga, this one promises to be a fascinating encounter as the champions look to finish the season in style.