Barcelona travelled to Segunda B outfit Deportivo Alaves on Tuesday looking to continue their unbeaten start to the season.
Alaves held strong until the 40th minute when David Villa struck from inside the box and it was two early in the second period when Andres Iniesta found the top corner.
Barcelona continued to dominate in the latter stages and Cesc Fabregas made it three with a header after 88 minutes.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary below.
Hello all! Barcelona begin their defence of the Copa del Rey this evening with a trip to Vitoria in the Basque country to take on Alaves. On paper, there should only be one result. However, football has a funny way of surprising us when we least expect it!
Teams:
Alaves: Urtzi; Agustin, Hernandez, Rubio; Beobide, Delgado, J Garcia, M Garcia; Guzman, Asier, Viguera
Barcelona: Pinto; Alves, Montoya, Busquets, Barta; Fabregas, Iniesta, Mascherano, Roberto; Sanchez, Villa
Alaves have fallen a long way since losing the UEFA Cup final to Liverpool in 2001. Meanwhile, as mentioned, they have been out of Spain's top flight for six years. They temporarily dropped out of La Liga in 2004, but returned one year later with renewed optimism.
However, they dropped back into the Segunda and were relegated once more in 2009 to the Segunda B, where they have remained ever since. That said, they currently top their league this season and will enter the match full of confidence.
The player to watch for the home side is Spanish striker Guzman. The 27-year-old has registered four goals in nine games this season. He will be expected to provide the main threat. Certainly following the news that star attacker Ruben Negredo has been ruled out for the season with knee damage.
In the home side's way is a Barcelona outfit that have started the season in imperious form. They have won eight of their nine league matches this season and currently top the pile some eight points ahead of current champions Real Madrid.
Tito Vilanova's side have also scored 10 goals in their last two away games and they will be keen to continue their winning run this evening. Just a reminder that the second leg of the encounter will take place in four weeks.
The last meeting between the two sides was in the 2006 Copa del Rey when Barcelona won both legs. They secured a 2-0 win in the first leg, before winning 3-2 at the Nou Camp. But much has changed for both teams since then.
Vilanova has named a really strong lineup this evening. Iniesta, Fabregas, Sanchez and Villa are all involved. Barcelona are not taking this lightly that's for certain.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of kickoff. Will Barcelona secure a routine win? Or can the home side pull off a huge shock? Stay with us as the evening unfolds.
Handshakes? Check. Flags exchanged? Check. Let's get this Copa del Rey clash underway. I am backing a 4-0 Barcelona win this evening.
Barcelona kick us off on this mild evening in Spain. Let's hope for some goals in this Copa del Rey clash.
Early spell of possession for the away side as you would expect. Fabregas attempts to release Sanchez with a searching pass, but Rubio is on hand to clear the danger.
Just a nervy moment for Pinto in the Barcelona goal as he collects possession in the box with Asier approaching. However, the Spaniard manages to clear the danger. Decent start from Alaves.
The home side have started to put a solid period of possession together in the past few moments. However, they have not found their front three thus far.
Barcelona's first meaningful attack of the match comes as Sanchez and Alves link down the right. However, the defender is just crowded out at the vital moment. The away side have taken control of the ball in the past few moments.
Slight sense of frustration for Barcelona as Sanchez fells Beobide in the Alaves half. Both sides are just exchanging spells of possession at the moment.
Half-chance for the away side as Sanchez whips a low cross into the penalty area, but it is just too long for Villa. It's all one-way traffic now, but Alaves are defending in numbers.
Again Barcelona launch an attack in the shape of Alves, but the Brazilian's frustration continues as he gives away another free kick. It has just been that type of match thus far.
Chance! Best chance of the match thus far as Sanchez meets an Alves cross in the box, but Iturrioz is on hand to make the save. Barcelona continue to press.
The home side have their first strike on goal as Viguera fires an effort from outside the box. However, it was always moving high of the Barcelona goal. Alaves are struggling for invention at the moment.
Pass, pass, pass from Barcelona at the moment. The game may be different, but some things never change. However, the home side are nice and compact and have dealt with the threat thus far.
Alaves continue to work ever so hard as they press Barcelona on the edge of their own penalty area. However, you get the feeling that Barca will find that elusive pass sooner or later.
A rare attack for the home side so nearly brings a chance as Manu Garcia searches out the run of Guzman, but Mascherano clears the danger. Meanwhile, Sanchez heads an Alves cross wide at the other end.
Wonderful atmosphere being created by the home supporters at the moment. They are enjoying facing the mighty Barcelona. And their team has stood up well to the threat thus far.
It's pinball inside the Alaves box as Villa and Sanchez both have efforts towards goal. However, the home side manage to clear the danger. In truth, they are hanging on as we approach the 30-minute mark.
Best spell of the match for the home side as they force a free kick outside the box. However, Guzman's effort is deflected for a corner - which Bartra clears.
Barcelona remain the dominant force in this match. However, Alaves are enjoying a decent spell of possession and it is threatening to take the roof off the stadium.
Barcelona advance immediately down the other end and come close via Sanchez. However, the winger is penalised for a foul. A decision that he does not agree with! Little over 10 minutes of the half remaining.
It is all Barcelona at the moment. However, they continue to overplay in the penalty area and the danger is cleared. Alves is playing as right winger as we approach the interval.
Not a great deal happening at the moment in terms of chances. Barcelona are dominating the ball, but Alaves have defended wonderfully in the opening period.
Half-chance for the away side as Sanchez picks up possession outside the box, but his effort was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. It has been that type of match thus far.
GOAL! Alaves 0-1 Barcelona (Villa)
Barcelona have the lead five minutes before the break as Villa thumps an effort off the crossbar and into the back of the net.
It is harsh on the home side, but it had been coming. Meanwhile, Asier tests Pinto with a long-range effort down the other end.
Barcelona continue to dominate possession as we approach the interval. Alaves just need to keep it tight for the next three or four minutes.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional two minutes at the end of the half.
Alaves 0-1 Barcelona
So there we have it. A David Villa has handed Barcelona a 1-0 lead over Alaves at the interval. In truth, the away side have dominated possession from start to finish. However, Alaves have defended well.
Taking another look at the Villa strike. It really was a top finish. Iniesta found the forward with a low pass and Villa thumped the ball into the top corner. It was going to take something like that to break the deadlock.
Just a reminder that we will have live coverage of Alcoyano vs. Real Madrid from 8.30pm on Wednesday. Do join us for that one! Meanwhile, can Alaves respond in the second period of this one?
It was always going to be difficult for Alaves to advance from this tie. However, you just get the feeling that they need to secure a result tonight to take to the Nou Camp. And then who knows what could happen? Stay with us for the second period which is around three minutes away.
Here we go then. Alaves kick us off in the second period. However, Barcelona immediately gain possession of the ball.
Fabregas and Iniesta combine in the middle of the park for Barcelona before releasing Villa. However, Javi Hernandez clears the danger. Alaves need to keep it tight for the next 10 minutes or so.
Chance! Best opportunity of the evening for the home side as Guzman advances into the area, but his effort is just wide of the target. What a chance to make yourself a hero.
GOAL! Alaves 0-2 Barcelona (Iniesta)
Oh my word. It is just wonderful from Iniesta as he places an effort into the top corner from outside the box.
What a magical goal that was. The midfielder found the very top corner with a delicate finish. That is why he is up there with the best in the world. Alaves could be in trouble here.
Alaves continue to flood forward in packs, but they are stopped on the edge of the Barcelona area on each occasion. Meanwhile, Sanchez tests the palms of Iturrioz from close range.
Barcelona have the ball in the back of the net once more as Sanchez taps home in the area. However, the linesman raises his flag. Meanwhile, change for Barcelona as Alex Song replaces Bartra.
So nearly a third for Barcelona as Iniesta finds the run of Villa, but Garcia is on hand to clear the danger. It is like a training match for the away side at the moment.
The away side continue to pass and probe as we approach the hour mark in the match. They are playing in second gear at the moment as they keep the ball with ease.
Alaves threaten for the first time in the second period as Guzman finds Asier in the box, but Pinto makes a smart save. Decent response from the home side.
Someone has woken Alaves up in the past five minutes or so. Suddenly they look the side that will score next as Guzman wins a free kick outside the box. However, Song thumps the danger clear.
Chance! So nearly three for Barcelona as Alves whips a low cross into the box, but Villa just cannot make contact. It really should have been game over there.
Alaves remain a threat as Beobide finds Guzman in the box, but the danger is cleared by Montoya. End-to-end football at the moment.
Barcelona have just taken the sting out of the match in the past few moments with a period of possession. However, the home side continue to attack when they find themselves with the ball.
Double change for the home side as Sendoa and Luismi replace Barahona and Jonan. Can the pair inspire their side in the remaining 20 minutes?
The match has just become ever so scrappy in the past few moments with both sides giving away a host of free kicks. Not that Barcelona will mind. They have the result they wanted as it stands.
Big penalty shout for the away side as Fabregas is felled in the box by Garcia. However, the referee waves play on. Little under 15 minutes of normal time remaining.
Change for Barcelona as Iniesta is replaced by Jonathan Dos Santos. Meanwhile, the away side continue to dominate the ball at the moment.
Chance! Twice Sanchez comes close to Barcelona's third as he advances into the penalty area, but the goalkeeper makes two good saves. It really should be more than 2-0.
Alaves refuse to stop playing as they pass and probe in the Barcelona half. However, their final ball has deserted them all evening. But not through want of trying.
Meanwhile, final change for the home side as Llamas replaces Asier. Little over five minutes of action remaining in this one. Can Alaves open their tally?
Barcelona continue to frustrate the home side with a period of possession. However, Alaves remain a threat on the counter attack. But you just cannot see a goal coming.
Alaves continue to fight for every ball as we approach the final moments of the match. Their work-rate cannot be questioned this evening. But they have not had enough quality.
Chance! It should have been three for Barcelona as Sanchez advanced into the box, but his effort was straight at the goalkeeper.
GOAL! Alaves 0-3 Barcelona (Fabregas)
Barcelona have their third as Fabregas heads an Alves cross home from close range. That should be the tie.
Meanwhile, we will play an additional two minutes of added time.
Not a great deal happening in the remaining moments as Barcelona keep possession in their own half. They have done their job this evening.
Alaves 0-3 Barcelona
So there we have it. Barcelona secure a 3-0 first-leg lead over Alaves in the Copa del Rey. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to join us for more Copa del Rey football tomorrow. Until then!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
