It’s what weaker sides typically do when they visit the Camp Nou. They sit back, defend deep and hope to exploit the few chances they get on the counter-attack. While Barcelona dazzled with fast-paced exchanges in the final third, Alaves capitalised on the break.
The visitors were highly organised at the back, coping superbly well with constant sieges from the hosts. Purposeful defending and a speedy break executed to devastating effect. The classic blueprint for any away side travelling to Barcelona was carried out perfectly in the first half.
It was Messi of all people who gave the ball away just outside the Alaves box and a pass from Sobrino split the hosts wide open, sending Guidetti through on goal. The Swede slipped and pulled the trigger, but his scuffed effort still beat Ter Stegen inside his near post.
Having conceded against the run of play, Barcelona attempted to pick themselves up and dust themselves off. Philippe Coutinho combined with new team-mates Messi and Iniesta, while Luis Suarez looked rather off-pace as the Catalans failed to beat Pacheco in goal.The Argentine ace came the closest, bending a trademark free-kick over the wall and onto the right post with Pacheco stretching to get his fingertips to it and claw it away.
Coutinho looked lively in his first La Liga start since sealing his move from Anfield. Some nice touches and good vision delighted the Camp Nou faithful but he was unable to produce that final ball and was far from the Coutinho spectacular those in attendance had hoped to see.
After the break, Messi threatened to undo the airtight and disciplined network Alaves had set up on the pitch. After a great defensive display in the first 70 minutes, it all fell apart like a house of cards for Alaves. With Coutinho no longer on the pitch, Barcelona continued to wear down the visitors and they found their rewards. It was a simple goal, with Andres Iniesta getting to the byline down the left flank and sending the cross into the back post for Luis Suarez. The Uruguayan hit the volley first-time beyond Pacheco and Maripan, who could do nothing on the goal line to keep it out.
With Alaves defending increasingly deeper as the minutes went by, Suarez was granted a superb chance to put his side again just moments later, but the striker fired over the bar rather than squaring for Alcacer in the centre of the area.
A mistake that could have proved costly had Messi not provided his customary magic touch. Like clockwork, when Barcelona need him, he makes it happen. Six minutes from full-time he sent a free-kick into the top corner with Pacheco unable to get a strong hand to it.
Messi once again got the winning goal, something he does with incredible frequency, while Luis Suarez made up for a sub-par performance with a decent equaliser to down a stubborn Alaves side who, at times, gave a masterclass of how to face the runaway La Liga leaders.