Barcelona could clinch the La Liga title tomorrow. Getty
Barcelona inched closer to their 26th La Liga title with a 2-0 victory at Alaves on Tuesday.
The result, which puts the Catalans 12 points clear of second-placed Atletico Madrid, could see the defending La Liga champions clinch the league crown on Wednesday if Atleti lose to Valencia at the Wanda Metropolitano.
Lionel Messi was not included in the initial XI as Ernesto Valverde paired Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele with Luis Suarez up front. The Barca boss also gave a number of reserves rare starts as Carles Alena and Arturo Vidal joined Sergio Busquets in midfield and Samuel Umititi started at the back.
Neither team could find a way through in the opening 45 minutes despite Barcelona dominating possession 80 percent to 20 and firing 11 shots to Alaves' two.
Barca's relentless pressure finally found a reward early in the second half, however, when Alena turned home a pass from Sergio Roberto from close range in the 54th minute.
Suarez sealed the points six minutes later from the spot after a lengthy VAR review adjudged that Tomas Pina handled the ball in the area -- the Uruguay international beating Fernando Pacheco from 12 yards.
The win gives Barca 80 points from 34 matches, while Alaves remain in eighth with 46.
Source: espn.co.uk