Barcelona held by 10-man Alaves to cap off turbulent week

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By ( Press Association ) published
Spain Soccer La Liga
(Image credit: Alvaro Barrientos)

Barcelona ended a turbulent week with a 1-1 draw at 10-man Alaves.

Four days after Josep Maria Bartomeu resigned his presidency following months of criticism of Barcelona’s ailing finances and struggles on the pitch, Antoine Griezmann cancelled out Luis Rioja’s opener on another disappointing night for Ronald Koeman’s side in LaLiga.

Current boss Koeman’s mood after having his future plunged into a cloud of speculation will not have been improved by Alaves’ opener.

Goalkeeper Neto failed to control a needless back pass after 31 minutes and Rioja dispossessed him before rolling the ball into the empty net.

Messi was denied either side of half-time by Alaves goalkeeper Fernando Pacheco and Ansu Fati fired wide.

Alaves’ rearguard action suffered a blow after 62 minutes when former Brentford and Birmingham midfielder Jota picked up a second yellow card.

Griezmann, centre, equalised for Barcelona but could not get the winner

Griezmann, centre, equalised for Barcelona but could not find the winner (Alvaro Barrientos/AP)

And the visitors levelled a minute later when Griezmann lifted the ball over Pacheco.

Pacheco denied Messi and Fati either side of Griezmann having an effort disallowed.

Barca were again denied a winner late on when Messi’s strike was chalked off for offside and Gerard Pique fired wide in stoppage time.