The Polish striker struck in the 61st minute, finishing from close range after a well-worked move involving Pedri and Lamine Yamal. The win was vital for Barcelona, especially after Real Madrid's slip-up the previous evening.
Flick Pleased with Resilient Performance
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick expressed his satisfaction with the result, acknowledging the pressure his side were under.
"It was a tough, hard-working match. Getting three points was crucial, especially considering Madrid's result yesterday," Flick said.
Flick revealed that he had not watched Real Madrid's game, opting for an early night instead, only learning about their result through WhatsApp the next morning. However, he insisted that his focus remained solely on Barcelona's own performance.
"I don't care about Madrid's situation. We had to focus on ourselves, and this was a difficult match. Alaves defend very well," he added.
Lewandowski Delivers Again
Lewandowski's goal, his 30th in all competitions this season, came after a period of sustained pressure from Barcelona.
Yamal's curling effort was pushed over the bar by goalkeeper Jesus Owono, leading to a corner. Pedri kept the attack alive with a crossfield pass to Yamal, who volleyed another delivery into the box. Lewandowski reacted quickest, firing into the roof of the net to break the deadlock.
Flick praised his striker, stating: "He scored from close range, but I'm happy with the whole team. It wasn't easy to create chances because Alaves defended well. That's their job. I always say he is the best number nine in the box, and it was crucial that he scored in such a tough game."
Gavi Forced Off, Yamal Impresses
Barcelona were dealt a scare when Gavi was forced off following a head injury. Flick confirmed that the decision was made by the club's medical staff.
"It wasn't up to Gavi or me. The doctor said he couldn't continue, and we have to respect that. He always wants to play, but he's on his way home and seems fine. That's the good news," Flick explained.
Meanwhile, Yamal once again showed his immense talent, playing a key role in Barcelona's attacking moves.
"This is what he is capable of. Today, we saw a really good version of him. It's fantastic to have him in our team," Flick said.
Looking Ahead
Despite closing the gap on Real Madrid, Flick remained focused on his own side's progress.
"Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid are fantastic teams, but we have to do our job. We are still a few points behind and need to keep winning to put pressure on them," he said.
Barcelona will now turn their attention to their next fixture, aiming to build on this hard-earned victory as the La Liga title race intensifies.
Real Madrid have lodged a complaint over the refereeing in their La Liga defeat to Espanyol, claiming the game had "a level of manipulation and adulteration which cannot be ignored".
Alphonso Davies has quashed any hopes Real Madrid had of signing him as a free agent this summer by committing his future to Bayern Munich.
Antoine Griezmann has long dreamt of winning La Liga or the Champions League, but Atletico Madrid's French forward remains determined to add a major trophy to his collection before potentially leaving the club this summer.
Atletico Madrid are set to host Getafe at the Metropolitano Stadium in the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey tonight, with both teams eager to secure a place in the semi-finals.
