Frenkie De Jong scored a late winner as Barcelona edged past struggling Alaves to move up to fifth in La Liga.
The Netherlands midfielder converted Ferran Torres’ first-time cross with three minutes remaining.
Xavi’s side dominated possession but it was Alaves, 19th in the table, who had the better chances.
Pere Pons fired straight at Marc-Andre ter Stegen shortly before half-time, while Joselu flashed a header wide in the second half.
The win moves Barca to within a point of fourth-placed Atletico Madrid, who they host at the Nou Camp next weekend.
Barca looked weary after back-to-back extra-time defeats over the past week, to Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup last weekend and Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey on Thursday.
They enjoyed 76% possession and had 10 corners to Alaves’ one, but struggled to create many clear-cut openings.
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