Barcelona may have already clinched the La Liga title, but their 1-0 loss to Alaves at Mendizorroza served as a sobering reminder that even champions can have off nights. With the trophy secured after their victory over Real Madrid, Hansi Flick rang the changes—eight to be exact—giving fringe players a chance to shine. But what unfolded was a flat performance that left fans questioning the depth of the squad. Here are three key takeaways from the match.

1. A Lackluster Display from the Champions
It was perhaps predictable. With nothing at stake, Barcelona’s intensity dipped noticeably. While there were fleeting moments of their trademark passing brilliance, they were too few and far between against an Alaves side fighting for survival. The hosts, desperate for points, played with far more urgency, leaving the Catalans looking sluggish and uninspired. For a team that had dreams of a 100-point season, this performance was a reality check.

2. Alvaro Cortes Shines on Debut
Amid the mediocrity, there was a silver lining. Young defender Alvaro Cortes made his first-team debut and impressed with a composed display. Calm on the ball, strong in the tackle, and authoritative alongside Pau Cubarsi, he looked every bit a player ready for more responsibility. While it’s too soon to say if he can challenge the established partnership of Cubarsi and Gerard Martin, Cortes has certainly given Flick something to think about for the future.

3. A Night to Forget in Front of Goal
Perhaps the most damning statistic? Barcelona failed to register a single shot on target. From early on, it felt like one of those nights where the ball just wouldn’t find the net. Whether it was Alaves’ resolute five-man defense or simply a lack of sharpness from the likes of Robert Lewandowski and Marcus Rashford, the Blaugrana never looked like scoring. It was a stark contrast to the firepower that had carried them to the title.

For Barcelona, this was a game to forget—but one that offers lessons. Depth, mentality, and finishing will all need sharpening if they’re to build on their championship success next season.