Barcelona defeated Deportivo Alaves 6-1 at Camp Nou on Saturday to return to the top of La Liga. Raphinha scored twice in the first half, with Fermin Lopez and Lamine Yamal also finding the net before the interval. Yamal added a second-half goal, and substitute Anthony Gordon completed the scoring, while Mariano Diaz netted a consolation for the visitors.
The victory moves Barcelona two points clear of second-place Atletico Madrid, who won 2-0 at Levante earlier. Barcelona bounced back after suffering defeats to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League and Real Madrid in last week's Clasico at home. Manager Hansi Flick deployed unconventional defensive lineup choices, including Frenkie de Jong at centre-back and debutant Brian Farinas at right-back, due to injury concerns.
Barcelona face Aston Villa in Champions League action on Tuesday before traveling to Atletico Madrid for a league clash next Sunday. Alaves remain winless in their last seven matches and sit in 10th place.
