Yamal-less Barca survive keeper's childish howler to beat Oviedo

You can't be a top-class goalkeeper if you're too normal, to put it that way. Custodians need that sort of extravagancy, even craziness, to be the long-lasting wall that will keep your fortress safe. However, sometimes those keepers tend to go too far with their gimmicks and nonchalant approach, taking you straight to the road of disaster.

That's precisely what could have happened to Barcelona last night, as Hansi Flick's side managed to bounce back and clinch a 3-1 victory at Oviedo despite - and not thanks to - their shot-stopper Joan Garcia.

The 24-year-old keeper decided to try his luck with a more than risky run with the ball outside the box around the half-hour mark. Although Barca's '1' was successful in dribbling past a few of the opposition players, his pass to the midfield was intercepted by Alberto Reina, who had no trouble in firing from long range to break the deadlock.

Despite conceding a shocking goal when least expected, the Catalans pulled off a serious comeback in the second half to clinch a much-needed victory.

Flick subbed on Frenkie de Jong and Robert Lewandowski, which proved crucial in turning the game upside down. The visitors - without their injured brightest star, Lamine Yamal - stormed to a 3-1 victory thanks to goals from Eric Garica, Lewandowski, and the man of the match, Ronald Araujo, who sealed the deal two minutes from time. They are now two points behind La Liga leaders Real Madrid as the new round is just around the corner, with Girona and Espanyol opening it on Friday night.

LA LIGA - MATCHDAY 6

Tuesday

Ath. Bilbao - Girona 1-1 (0-1)

/Jauregizar 48 - Ounahi 9/

Espanyol - Valencia 2-2 (0-1)

/Cabrera 59, Puado 90+6 - Danjuma 15, Duro 62/

Levante - Real Madrid 1-4 (0-2)

/Eyong 54 - Vinicius Jr 28, Mastantuono 38, Mbappe 64 pen, 66/

Sevilla - Villarreal 1-2 (0-1)

/Sow 51 - Oluwaseyi 17, Solomon 86/

Wednesday

Getafe - Alaves 1-1 (0-0)

/Arambarri 63 - Guevara 71/

Atl. Madrid - Rayo Vallecano 3-2 (1-1)

/Alvarez 15, 80, 88 - Chavarria 45+1, Garcia 77/

Sociedad - Mallorca 1-0 (0-0)

/Oyarzabal 49/

Thursday

Osasuna - Elche 1-1 (1-0)

/Munoz 10 - Pedrosa 90+2/

Oviedo - Barcelona 1-3 (1-0)

/Reina 33 - Garcia 56, Lewandowski 70, Araujo 88/