Barcelona were unconvincing in Vitoria against second-placed Alaves, but with a late goal from Frenkie de Jong they secured a win to leave them just a point clear of the Champions League places.

“Finishing in the top four is the main objective this season,” said the goalscorer. Barcelona are getting closer to that goal, but without the boldness and panache that Xavi wants them to play with.

Ousmane Dembele was ruled out with a stomach problem, although Barcelona have already made it clear that he won’t be chosen. And with Ansu Fati injured, it left the responsibility of scoring goals on the shoulders of Ferran Torres and Luuk de Jong.

Xavi’s side looked frustrated with Alaves’ 19th-place finish ahead of De Jong’s goal

Neither could really test Alaves in a flat first half. Luuk de Jong volleyed wide and Ferran Torres missed a chance after being set up by Pedri.

There was a lack of invention and an apparent lack of conviction from a Barca side still recovering from being knocked out of the Copa del Rey midweek.

Luuk de Jong should have given Barcelona the lead in the 63rd minute but he didn’t have enough from Pedri’s cross from the right to beat Fernando Pacheco.

Alaves also had chances and when Jason Remeseiro rounded Jordi Alba and crossed the area it looked like Joselu, Alaves top scorer with 10 so far this season, would put them ahead but he took the lead large.

Alaves manager Jose Luis Mendilibar had never beaten Barcelona in 15 games against them but this was the best chance he was going to get.

With seven minutes remaining, Luuk de Jong came off and was replaced by Ferran Jutgla. It’s not the tactic for Xavi to drop the ball to the big man when time is running out and the team needs a goal. But does this Barcelona team have anything else at the moment? The answer was yes and it was the other De Jong who scored the goal.

He was offside but didn’t interfere with play as Jordi Alba played the ball over Ferran Torres. De Jong was then behind Torres as the former Manchester City winger played the ball into the face of the box for the Dutchman to score.

There was another late chance for Alaves but Tomas Pina’s header went straight to Marc Andre ter Stegen. Mendilibar did not earn his first victory; he didn’t even get a point and was sent off after challenging a decision.

“We are in a difficult stage of the season,” said Frenkie de Jong, “so it’s an important victory. But we have to be better with the ball.

Ferran Torres made his Barcelona debut and was able to get De Jong’s help in a tough game