Barcelona player ratings v Alaves: Frenkie De Jong 7, Pedri 6, Sergino Dest 5

Catalans claim an unconvincing 1-0 La Liga win at Mendizorrotza Stadium

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  BARCELONA PLAYER RATINGNS: Marc-Andre Ter Stegen – 6. Easy save from a tame Pons effort in a very poor first half for Barca. The Basques created the best chances, but you don’t expect players like Joselu, one of La Liga’s top scorers, to miss from close range. AFP

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  Sergino Dest – 5. Started ahead of the rested Dani Alves. Attacked down the wing, but the Catalans had little first half joy against a side who defended deep. Xavi said: “Maybe we need more time than we thought we would," before the game. On this evidence, he was right. AFP

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  Ronald Araujo – 6. The fastest man on the pitch, but not a notable night for him or any of his teammates. Helped avoid a third successive victory against the 19th place team. Is that a positive? AP

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  Gerard Pique – 7. Two goal-bound attempts off him from set-pieces. His side looked shattered after Thursday’s extra time defeat against Athletic Bilbao. AFP

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  Jordi Alba – 7. A mainstay in an injury hit side, the full-back was beaten a couple of times in another unconvincing performance. Did set up Torres in the build-up to the goal – a lovely move and rare moment of quality. AFP

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  Pedri – 6. Barca showed why they’ve won only four of their 16 away games so far this season, yet can move fourth if they beat Atletico in their next game. Good that he’s back and playing. Getty Images

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  Sergio Busquets – 6. The veteran is still hugely important to this side. Barca had 72 per cent possession in the first half but only one shot on target. Still, the win means Barca are now only one point off a Champions League position – and it didn’t harm their mood that Real Madrid, Real Sociedad and Sevilla failed to win this weekend. Reuters

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  Frenkie De Jong – 7. Hit a first half shot wide and not much more. Poor control for a player of his quality and a poor season, but he put the ball in the net for the winner – only his second goal of the season. Alaves were right to think it wasn’t deserved. AFP

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  Abde Ezzalzouli – 5. Xavi has tried 11 different players in his front three in his 14 games in charge so far. Xavi wasn’t happy with Abde in the first half and told him. AFP

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  Ferran Torres – 6. Third consecutive start since his debut. Shot high and wide against a 4-5-1 formation after 31. Often tried to do too much. Set up the winner that his side didn’t deserve. AFP

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  Luuk De Jong – 5. A beneficiary of the increased number of crosses Barca put in, the in-form striker struck a 12th minute volley wide off his shin. Missed another chance in the second half to the frustration of his boss. Unable to add to his scoring run. Reuters

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  SUBS: Nico Gonzalez – 6. On for Abde after 71. Involved in the goal. AFP

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  Ferran Jutgla – NA. On for Luuk de Jong after 84. AFP

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  Clement Lenglet – NA. On for Pedri in the final minute. Reuters

A late strike by Frenkie de Jong earned Barcelona a 1-0 win at Alaves in La Liga on Sunday and rescued three points for Xavi Hernandez's men on another day of struggles against lowly sides.

Alaves squandered a number of chances before Barcelona broke the deadlock in the 87th minute when De Jong latched on to a Ferran Torres pass to fire in from close range.

Barcelona, who have already been eliminated from this season's Champions League and Copa del Rey, climbed to fifth in the standings with 35 points from 21 matches. They trail leaders Real Madrid by 15 points, with a game in hand, and are only a point adrift of fourth-placed Atletico Madrid.

"The victory was really important because of our situation in the league and the difficult season that we are going through, but we still have a lot of things to work on and improve,” de Jong told reporters.

It was a lacklustre and flat game at Mendizorrotza Stadium, with players complaining about the frozen pitch.

Barca tried to shake things up after the break with the introduction of 20-year-old midfielder Nico, while Gerard Pique's close range shot was blocked thanks to a brilliant left-footed save from Fernando Pacheco.

Alaves' Joselu went close with a powerful header but that flew just wide of Marc-Andre Ter Stegen's right post.

It was De Jong's last-gasp effort that finally swung the game Barcelona's way.

Alaves remained in 19th place with 17 points from 22 games, three points adrift of the safety zone.

In the photo gallery above, Andy Mitten has provided his player ratings from the match. To move on to the next photo, click on the arrows, or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.