It was a tough night in the Basque Country as Barcelona fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat against Deportivo Alavés at the Mendizorrotza on Wednesday. The result officially ends the champions' quest for a historic 100-point La Liga season, but with the title already secured, Hansi Flick used the opportunity to rotate his squad heavily.

The first half followed a predictable pattern. Barcelona dominated possession, as expected, but struggled to create clear-cut chances. Marcus Rashford provided a couple of early flashes, but the Catalans lacked their usual incisiveness in the final third. With several reserves and youngsters on the pitch, the attack never quite clicked into gear.

Alavés, fighting for their top-flight survival, played with the kind of urgency and intensity you'd expect from a team desperate for points. They pressed high, challenged for every loose ball, and made life uncomfortable for Barcelona's makeshift backline. Their persistence paid off in stoppage time before the break. A corner kick led to a goalmouth scramble, and Ibrahim Diabate was quickest to react, poking home to give the hosts a deserved lead heading into halftime.

The second half offered little in the way of quality. Barcelona continued to hold the ball but lacked ideas, while Alavés sat deep, stayed organized, and protected their lead with discipline. The game became a stop-start affair, filled with fouls and yellow cards, but precious few moments of genuine danger. The final whistle confirmed a vital three points for the home side in their relegation battle.

While the result itself was disappointing for Barcelona supporters, there were positives to take. Flick was able to rest key stars ahead of the final two matches of the campaign, and 21-year-old center-back Álvaro Cortés impressed in just his second senior start, showing composure beyond his years. With the 100-point dream now over, the focus shifts to finishing the season on a high note and giving opportunities to the club's next generation.