La Liga: Barcelona v Alaves - Depay stunner cancelled out by visitors

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Former Manchester Citry striker Sergio Aguero, making his first home start for the club since his move from Manchester City, was forced off with four minutes of the first half remaining.

The Argentine striker went down clutching the top of his chest and received treatment for several minutes before being helped off the pitch.

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Barcelona were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Alaves in their first match since the sacking of Ronald Koeman.

Memphis Depay opened the scoring in the second half, curling into the top corner from the edge of the penalty area. Luis Rioja equalised three minutes later after rounding Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

The hosts also lost Sergio Aguero to a chest injury in an uneventful first half. The point keeps Barcelona in ninth place - eight points behind La Liga leaders Real Madrid, who beat Elche 2-1 earlier on Saturday.

In front of just over 37,000 supporters at the Nou Camp, interim coach Sergi Barjuan's side went closest to a first-half opener when Eric Garcia's downward header was saved by Alaves goalkeeper Antonio Sivera.

Depay was inches away from restoring Barcelona's lead soon after Alaves' qualiser, but the Dutchman could only steer his effort from Gavi's pass against the post.

Philippe Coutinho, who replaced Aguero late in the first half, stung Sivera's palms with a dipping shot as the visitors held on for their first point at the Nou Camp since 2016.

Some quotes now from Barcelona defender Jordi Alba, who says: "It's a bad point. One out of nine this week and a team like Barcelona needs more than one point from nine.

"We're not happy with where we are in the league. We're putting pressure on our rivals but not scoring. We keep trying and hopefully this improvement will arrive soon.

"We're trying our best. We're creating decent football but the problem is what happens in both areas - in attack and defence. We're not scoring goals and they can score against us without creating too much. We have to improve and for sure we are going to do so."

That definitely falls in the two points dropped for Barcelona category. They had 80% possession, 16 attempts and five on target. But it ends 1-1.

They move up to ninth, eight points behind leaders Real Madrid, while Alaves stay 16th.

Three minutes of injury time for a late winner. Anyone?

A rare chance for Alaves, only their second on target, and it's a powerful header from Florian Lejuene but Marc-Andre Ter Stegen is behind it to keep it out.

Time running out for Barcelona. Alaves will be hoping to get this point over the finish line. They've worked so hard. Can they hold on?

Jordi Alba crosses from the left, but Florian Lejeune, formerly of Newcastle, is well positioned to nod it clear.

Eighty percent of possession should always equal three points. This is going to be two dropped for Barca, unless there's a late twist.

Philippe Coutinho gets some whistles from the home fans after blazing over. His move from Liverpool has not lived up to expectations.

Coutinho steps up right footed, looking to whip that free-kick over the wall, but it's always going to be too high and it's a waste.

This is a chance for Barcelona. A free-kick, central, just outside the penalty area.

Joselu, Alaves' top goalscorer who has an assist to his name, is off and replaced by Senegal forward Mamadou Sylla.

Another sub for Barcelona as well as Alejandro Balde replaces Nico Gonzalez.

Just the one shot on target for Alaves with 10 minutes to go, but it ended up in the net.

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Into the last 15 minutes. Have we got any more goals to come?

More bad news for Barcelona. Sergio Aguero went off injured earlier on and now Gerard Pique is limping off, with Clement Lenglet coming on to partner Eric Garcia in the middle of the Barcelona defence.

Gavi, who at 17 looks an incredible talent, is also off, tactical this one, with Riqui Puig replacing him.