Lionel Messi started on the bench for Barcelona but goals from Carles Alena and Luis Suarez meant no rescue act was required at Deportivo Alaves on Tuesday night.
It wasn’t a vintage Barca display but Alena struck in the 54th minute before Suarez converted from the spot six minutes later to seal the victory as the Catalans got three points closer to winning the La Liga title.
The visitors’ second goal was initially ruled offside but a VAR review, the referee pointed to the spot for a handball by Tomas Pina.
Messi did take to the pitch just past the hour mark but the job was done by then and it proved to be little more than a run out for the Argentine superstar.
The result means Barca will be crowned champions if they win their next game at home to Levante or even before that should Valencia defeat second-placed Atletico Madrid.
DOES ALENA HAVE WHAT IT TAKES?
When the likes of Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta and later Sergio Busquets established themselves in Barcelona’s midfield, they set an extremely high standard, one that no La Masia product has come close to reaching since.
Even Cesc Fabregas who came through the academy before plying his trade with Arsenal in the Premier League returned to the Camp Nou as a seasoned pro, he never quite made himself at home in that midfield.
That said, a chasm has been created in the wake of Xavi and Iniesta’s departures and Alena may be primed to serve at the heart of Barca teams for years to come.
The 21-year-old is highly rated within the club having consistently impressed as he came through the ranks at La Masia. He has a certain grace on the ball, possessing excellent close control that renders him a fine dribbler as he drives forward in attack or manoeuvres his way out of tight spaces in midfield.
Of course he possess great vision and passing range but his goal against Alaves highlighted his intelligent movement and eye for goal. Alena darted into the box as Sergi Roberto played the ball in and aided by a clever dummy from Suarez, the Spaniard was able to latch onto it before finishing in the bottom corner with aplomb.
The youngster has impressed when given the opportunity this season and could prove to be the next great midfield prodigy Barca’s youth academy have produced. Consistency is key though if he is to succeed in that regard. The likes of Rafinha Alcantara for instance boasted excellent quality and technique but didn’t quite meet the mark.
The evidence at the moment remains positive though. Alena could very well become a household name in Catalonia.
EDGING CLOSER
The primary criticism made of Ernesto Valverde is that he’s far too cautious for a Barcelona manager. The Catalans have grown accustomed to seeing their side play boldly and take risks, smothering the opposition into submission.
The performance at the Mendizorroza stadium though was another underwhelming one. For the 78 per cent share of possession the visitors enjoyed, they only mustered a miserly six shots on target.
That said, it takes a certain resolve to keep picking up results even when you’re not performing at optimum levels. Slowly but surely, Barcelona are creeping to another La Liga crown.
Of course, they’ve been aided by the fact that neither Madrid side have been able to challenge them. Atletico suffer from a genuine lack of firepower while Real are in the midst of a rebuilding process.
Valverde has even had the luxury of fielding a second string side against Huesca a couple of weeks ago to focus on Champions League engagements instead and could bench Messi for this encounter without concern.
This Barca side may not be storming to a league title but they’re destined to achieve it nonetheless. And somehow, despite their lack of panache or irresistible football, they’re very much in the frame for a historic third treble.
