news and sport: Barca take La Liga lead, Atletico rise to third

Champions Barcelona moved provisionally top of La Liga on Saturday with a 3-1 win over Alaves, with midfielder Dani Olmo netting a brace.

After Pablo Ibanez fired the visitors into a surprise lead in the first minute, Barca hit back through teenage star Lamine Yamal, set up by the returning Raphinha.

Olmo gave Barca the advantage midway through the first half and then netted late on to seal their victory in the second match back at their partially rebuilt Camp Nou home.

Barca lead Real Madrid, second, by two points before Xabi Alonso’s side visit Girona on Sunday.

Atletico Madrid rose to third, a point behind Los Blancos, with a 2-0 win over Real Oviedo later on Saturday, thanks to Alexander Sorloth’s double.

After a 3-0 Champions League thrashing by Chelsea in midweek, Barca’s 126th anniversary celebrations were a little subdued, but they were able to win a fourth consecutive league game.

“They caught us a bit by surprise in the first minute, but the team came back well from that situation, keeping our idea (of how to play),” Olmo told DAZN.

Barca were without Ronald Araujo and Frenkie de Jong, while Jules Kounde was dropped to the bench after his own-goal at Stamford Bridge.

Flick started Brazilian winger Raphinha for the first time after injury and also brought Marc Bernal back into midfield for his first Barca start since August 2024 following a long-term lay-off after knee surgery.

Barcelona romped to a 4-0 win over Athletic Bilbao in their first match back home last weekend but Alaves offered far more spirited opposition.

The visitors took the lead inside the first minute, with Ibanez firing home after Marc Casado failed to clear a corner.