Overview
- Barcelona are coming off a 3-0 Champions League loss at Chelsea in which Jules Koundé scored an own goal and Ronald Araújo was sent off before halftime.
- Hansi Flick urged calm after the defeat and may be boosted by returning options, with Pedri still working back from a muscle issue and Fermín López ruled out for two weeks.
- Barcelona play their second match back at a partially reopened Camp Nou after beating Athletic Bilbao 4-0 last weekend, while Alavés arrive 14th with three losses in their past four league games.
- Real Madrid edged Olympiacos 4-3 in Athens thanks to Kylian Mbappé’s scoring burst, though reports differ on whether he netted three or four goals.
- The tight La Liga table gives Barcelona a chance to go top before Madrid’s trip to Girona, with Atlético Madrid and Villarreal close enough to punish any further stumbles.