Barcelona welcomes Rayo Vallecano on Monday evening with a gold opportunity: a victory would propel the Catalans at the top of the Liga, ahead of Real Madrid and Atlético.
Barcelona to assault the summit
The draw of Real Madrid against Osasuna (1-1) and that of Atlético against Celta Vigo (1-1) opened the door at Barça, which can take control thanks to its particular favorable difference. With three consecutive victories in all competitions, including a wide success 4-1 against Seville FC, the Hansi Flick team displays a positive dynamic. The Blaugrana, unbeaten since their defeat against Atlético before the winter break, scored nine goals in their last two outings. This duel facing the Rayo is part of a decisive sequence for Barça, which will continue with Las Palmas before a semi-final of the King's Cup against Atlético.
Present on all fronts, including the Champions League, the Catalans hope to make this season a memorable vintage. Despite three defeats at the Estadi Olímpic Lluis Companys this season, Barça seems to have found the right carburee at the right time, with a Lamine Yamal in full ascent and a well -oiled collective.
Yamal and Barça want to chain.
Rayo ready to shake up the established order
The Rayo Vallecano will not go as a consenting victim. Inigo Perez and his men remain on three consecutive success in Liga (Girona, Leganae, Valladolid) and point to a surprising sixth place. With 35 points, they are ahead of Osasuna and Villarreal and can legitimately dream of Europe. Far from its bases, the Rayo has shown resources this season, winning 17 points in 12 games, and can rely on a recent memory: a 1-0 victory at Camp Nou in April 2022.
Even if Barcelona won the last two confrontations, the Rayo had chained five unbeaten games against the Catalans between 2021 and 2023, with three significant victories. Faced with an ambitious Barcelona team but under pressure, Vallecano hopes to reissue the feat and register a new page of history in an already promising season.
Time and place of the match
24th day of Liga
Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys (Barcelona)
At 9 p.m. French time
Barça – Rayo Vallecano
The probable compos of the Barça – Rayo Vallecano match
Barcelona: Szczesny; Kounde, Cubarsi, I Martinez, Balde; Casado, Pedri; Yamal, Gavi, Raphinha; Lewandowski
Rayo Vallecano:
Batalla; Ratiu, Lejeune, Mumin, Chavarria; Diaz, Ciss; De Frutos, Palazon, a Garcia; Nteka
On which channel to follow the match Barça – Rayo Vallecano?
The meeting between FC Barcelona and Rayo Vallecano will be followed this Monday, February 17, 2025 from 9 p.m. on BeIN SPORTS MAX 4. It will also be possible for you to watch the game in streaming on the dedicated platform of the group, BeIN Connect.
