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Neto (on the ground) had messed up, Rioja shot
Photo: Alvaro Barrientos / AP
After the draw against Sevilla FC and defeats at Getafe and Real Madrid, FC Barcelona failed to win their fourth league game in a row.
At Deportivo Alavés, the Catalans couldn't get past a draw.
Luis Rioja had put the hosts in the lead (31st minute), Antoine Griezmann equalized for Barça (63rd).
Alavés's goal was preceded by a major mistake by goalkeeper Neto.
He couldn't control a harmless back pass from Gerard Piqué and lost the ball while trying to free himself with a twist.
Rioja sniffed in between and effortlessly scored 1-0.
At halftime, Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman made three changes, but it took the help of Alavés midfielder Jota to bring the guests back into the game.
In the 62nd minute he picked up the yellow-red completely unnecessarily after a mission with a leg that was far too high. Less than two minutes later, Griezmann switched the fastest in the opponent's penalty area and overcame the hosts' otherwise outstanding goalkeeper, Fernando Pacheco, with a lob.
As a result, Lionel Messi and Ansu Fati in particular gave good opportunities on his 18th birthday, but it remained at 1-1.
With eight points from six games, FC Barcelona are currently in 12th place and are already eight points behind Real Madrid, who have played one game more.
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