Despite two victories obtained before the international break, Barça had not shown an attractive face and had still not reassured since the defeat against Real Madrid. Still shaken by the injuries of Gavi and Ter Stegen, Xavi could nevertheless count on the presence of De Jong and Pedri, behind the Torres-Lewandowski-Yamal trio to win at Rayo Vallecano. However, there was no Catalan awakening on the Madrid side, since in content, Barça is still soporific.
General league table
|
#
|
Team
|
Pts
|
J
|
DIF
|
G
|
NOT
|
D
|
BP
|
B.C.
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
|
34 |
13 |
15 |
11 |
1 |
1 |
31 |
16 |
|
2 |
|
32 |
13 |
19 |
10 |
2 |
1 |
28 |
9 |
|
3 |
|
31 |
14 |
13 |
9 |
4 |
1 |
27 |
14 |
|
4 |
|
28 |
12 |
17 |
9 |
1 |
2 |
29 |
12 |
|
5 |
|
24 |
13 |
8 |
7 |
3 |
3 |
25 |
17 |
See the full ranking
Because despite an opportunity for Lewandowski at the start (8th) and a nice solitary rush from Yamal (29th), Barça was sorely lacking in offensive situations to hope to open the score at Rayo. Dominant, but only in possession of the ball, the Catalans were still too timid, like in recent weeks. And by not picking up the pace, FC Barcelona was trapped after a Madrid attack that was poorly cleared and returned to Unai López, who blasted Peña with a powerful volley from afar (1-0, 39th).
Barça moves away from Girona and Real Madrid
Trailing, the Catalan club did not react any better after half-time. Despite more verticality in his game, the finish was lacking in the image of a curled shot from Cancelo which flew away (47th) and a missed header from Torres (54th). Coming into play, Raphinha got Barcelona’s best chance of the match by finding the post (76th). Lots of imprecision in front of the goal, but finally, thanks to a poorly returned ball from poor Lejeune in his own goal, Barcelona managed to come back to the score, without manner (1-1, 84th).
The worst was avoided, but this result is clearly not enough to get back to the top of the Spanish Championship. With one more match, Barça therefore remains in third place in La Liga, with one point less on Real Madrid, and three on Girona, still surprising leader. A rather worrying result before a decisive match in the Champions League against FC Porto this week. Thanks to this draw obtained, Rayo remains in 8th place.
