Barcelona go into Saturday's La Liga meeting with Deportivo Alavés looking to steady themselves after back-to-back defeats, a run that has briefly altered the shape of the early title race and left their record-equaling start under pressure.
For much of the 2026–27 season, Barcelona had been setting the pace, but last weekend's loss prevented them from opening a nine-point gap over Real Madrid. That is a significant miss at this stage, especially after a spell in which they had looked capable of stretching away from the field.
Barcelona need a response after recent setbacks
The timing matters because Barcelona had already been disrupted before El Clásico by Paris Saint-Germain, and the latest setback adds to the sense that their momentum has been interrupted. The standings do not yet define the season, but they do show how quickly the picture can change when a leading side drops consecutive points.
Hansi Flick now has to reset the tone quickly. Barcelona remain the team others are chasing, but the margin for error has become smaller, and any further slip would invite more pressure into a race that now looks more competitive than it did only a short time ago.
Where Deportivo Alavés fit into the picture
Deportivo Alavés come into the fixture from seventh place, which gives them enough standing to make this a proper test rather than a routine assignment. They last won on Sept. 6, but their position in the table still underlines that they are close enough to the top end to punish any side that is below its best.
That is why the FC Barcelona vs Deportivo Alavés standings conversation matters. Barcelona are still in the stronger position, but the gap between control and concern has narrowed, and Saturday's match offers a chance either to restore calm or to deepen the scrutiny around their recent form.
