Hansi Flick insisted that Barcelona must keep winning to maintain the pressure on La Liga leaders Real Madrid following their 1-0 win over Deportivo Alaves. (More Football News)
Robert Lewandowski's 61st minute strike was enough to see Barcelona go within four points of Carlo Ancelotti's side, who were stunned by Espanyol on Saturday.&nbs൩p;
Barcel൲ona are now unbeaten in their last 🍃three games in the top-flight, last going this many matches without defeat between 6th October and 3rd November 2024.
But they were made to work for their win at the Ca🦄mp Nou, registering an expected goals (xG) total of just 0.95 from their 11 shots at Jesus Owono's goal.
Flick's side sit third and three points behind Atletico Madrid, though the Opta s൲upercomputer has handed them a 16% chance of lifting the tit🔯le this season.
"Today we gave a really good answer because it was a tougﷺh match and Alaves, they defend really good," Flick told reporters.
"I think for us it's a good situation, better than before. 🧸It was necessary to win today, 🦩and the team did good because the pressure was on them.
"Atletico and Real, they are fantastic teams... we have to do our job. We are some points behind, so we have to win. We h▨ave to make pressure on them."
Flick also lauded match-winner Lewandowski for his contribution to proceedings, with the Pole netting his 18🐠th LaLiga goal of the season against Alaves.
In fact, Lewandowski's strike was his 60th in 90 LaLiga appearances, with only Cristiano Ronaldo (61 games) and former Barcelona strike🦩r Luis Suarez (🌊66 games) reaching that milestone quicker in the Spanish top-flight in the 21st century.
"He's the best number 💯nine in the box, and it was very important for us today that he scor💝ed," he said.
Lamine Y꧙amal also impressed for the Blaugrana, creating more chances (three) than any player on the pitch, while he al🍰so won a game-high 15 duels.
The 17-year-old attempted 21 dribbles against Alaves (11 completed), the most of any Barcelona player ✱in a single LaLiga game since at least 2005-06 (20 by Lionel Messi vs Mallorca in April 2007)
"What he did today in some situations is u🐬nbelievable, and I'm very happy that he is playing for Barca,"𒅌; he said.
Flick also revealed that Gavi, who was taken off after a clash of heads with Tomas Conechny, was not seriously injured, saying: "I think he's𒈔 on the way home, nothing happened. This is 🧔good news," he concluded.
