Barcelona Aims to Rebound Against Alavés

FC Barcelona is set to host Deportivo Alavés at the Spotify Camp Nou on Saturday, November 29, 2025, in a crucial La Liga fixture. The Catalan giants are looking to bounce back from a disappointing 3-0 defeat to Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League earlier this week, a result that has intensified pressure on manager Hansi Flick.

The match presents an opportunity for Barcelona to temporarily reclaim the top spot in La Liga, as they currently sit just one point behind leaders Real Madrid, who play on Sunday. A victory would provide a much-needed morale boost and demonstrate a strong response to their midweek European setback.

Injury Updates and Squad Changes

Manager Hansi Flick faces a mixed bag of news regarding player availability for the Alavés clash:

• Pedri’s Return: Widely regarded as one of the world’s best midfielders, Pedri is confirmed to make his return from a hamstring injury. He has been sidelined since his sending off in the late October defeat to Real Madrid, missing five games across all competitions. Flick stated, "He’ll get some playing time, but not from the start."
• Frenkie de Jong Out: In a surprising development, midfielder Frenkie de Jong has been ruled out of the match due due to "personal reasons" or "family matters," and not an injury. He was expected to start after returning to the lineup against Chelsea following a suspension.
• Ronald Araujo Sidelined: Defender Ronald Araujo will also miss the game, recovering from a stomach virus. This comes after a challenging performance against Chelsea where he was sent off.
• Other Absences: Fermin Lopez is out for two weeks with a minor soleus injury. Long-term absentees Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Gavi remain unavailable.
• Raphinha and Marcus Rashford: Raphinha could make his first start since September 25, offering a boost in attack. Marcus Rashford is also making a gradual comeback from fitness issues and is expected to contribute.

Flick’s Demand for Intensity and Collective Effort

The crushing defeat to Chelsea, which ended Barcelona’s record-breaking goalscoring run, has put Flick’s tactical approach under scrutiny. The German manager emphasized the need for a collective defensive effort, stating, "If we don’t all press effectively, we’ll have problems, I want to make that clear." He remains optimistic, believing that the return of key players like Pedri, Raphinha, and Marcus Rashford will provide the necessary spark for a swift turnaround.

Flick has consistently demanded a high level of intensity and focus from his squad for the full 90 minutes, a standard he deems essential for retaining the La Liga crown, as noted by digitaltrendstoday.com.

Alavés: A Challenging Opponent

Deportivo Alavés, currently sitting 14th in La Liga and four points clear of the relegation zone, will be looking to cause an upset. They arrive at Camp Nou following consecutive defeats, but their defense has shown resilience this season, conceding only five goals in their first five matches, ranking sixth-best in the league, according to digitaltrendstoday.com. Historically, Barcelona has dominated this fixture, winning 24 of the last 32 encounters, with Alavés securing only two wins at Camp Nou since the turn of the century.

Camp Nou Welcomes Away Fans

This match marks Barcelona’s second game back at the renovated Spotify Camp Nou. Following a 4-0 victory over Athletic Club in their homecoming match, La Liga has now approved the attendance of away fans. Alavés has been allocated 470 tickets, with their supporters to be located in the second tier near the Gol Nord corner. A UEFA delegation will also be present to inspect the stadium ahead of Barcelona’s Champions League fixture against Eintracht Frankfurt on December 9.

Match Prediction

Despite the recent Champions League setback and key absences, Barcelona is widely expected to secure a comfortable victory against Alavés. The hosts will be eager to demonstrate their attacking prowess and defensive solidity. Most predictions anticipate a dominant performance, with a 3-0 victory for Barcelona being a common forecast.