A late Rayo Vallecano own goal redeemed an otherwise miserable Barcelona performance, as the reigning La Liga champions dropped points in the title race yet again on Saturday. A deserved first-half goal from Unai Lopez gave Rayo the lead, before an 82nd-minute blunder from Florian Lejeune saw Barca snatch a 1-1 draw that they did little to deserve.
Rayo almost took the lead early on, when a Frenkie de Jong mistake handed the home side a clear chance, but goalkeeper Inaki Pena – in for the injured Marc-Andre ter Stegen – kept it out. Barca offered glimpses of a response, as most of them came through Lamine Yamal, who deserved a goal after a fine solo run.
The home side were good value for their opener as Lopez unleashed a fine strike from long range after the Blaugrana failed to clear a Rayo set piece. Barca offered more attacking thrust in the second half, though, as Ferran Torres put a good chance right at the goalkeeper, Pedri nodded one narrowly over the bar and Raphinha rattled the post after coming on.
The Barcelona equaliser wasn’t particularly deserved, though, as Lejeune somewhat unfortunately diverted a cross into his own net. Xavi’s side have now dropped points in three of their last four contests, and can already see their hopes of defending the title slipping away.
90minsoccer rates Barcelona’s players from Vallecas…
Goalkeeper & Defence
Inaki Pena (6/10):
In for the injured Ter Stegen. Made a couple of neat saves in the first half. Couldn’t do anything about Rayo’s goal.
Joao Cancelo (5/10):
Pressured heavily whenever he touched the ball, and didn’t have the time to do much of his signature creative stuff.
Andreas Christensen (5/10):
Looked slightly uncomfortable as the right-sided centre-back, where he was forced to operate in the absence of Araujo.
Inigo Martinez (5/10):
Might have cleared the ball more effectively leading up to Rayo’s opener. Pinged some lovely passes from deep, though.
Alejandro Balde (6/10):
Looked like he had his legs back after two weeks off. A fantastic piece of defensive work on the stroke of half-time Rayo denied a 2-0 lead. Much improved.
Midfield
Oriol Romeu (4/10):
Sloppy and slow at the base of midfield. Didn’t pick the forward pass enough, and offered very little mobility when the Blaugrana were hit on the break. Deservedly removed early in the second half.
Frenkie de Jong (6/10):
A bit shaky in his return from injury, with the odd loose pass. Settled into the game nicely, and started to dictate things. A welcome return.
Pedri (5/10):
Really struggled under pressure in the first half. Better in the second, but still well short of his best. Barca need him to find form — especially with Gavi out for the season.
Attack
Lamine Yamal (6/10):
A wonderful solo run probably deserved a goal after half an hour. Was quite comfortably Barca’s brightest attacking threat.
Robert Lewandowski (5/10):
Had a series of half chances in the opening 45. More involved in the second, although he missed the kind of instinctive effort he would normally bury late on.
Ferran Torres (4/10):
Put a header right at Dimitrievski in his only real chance. Functions better off the bench.
Subs & Manager
Ilkay Gundogan (6/10):
Offered a vital injection of quality in the second half. Moved the ball quickly, and looked for a forward pass.
Joao Felix (4/10):
A lot of pretty things on the ball, but not necessarily much in the way of impact. He’s really slowed down after a bright start.
Raphinha (5/10):
Rattled the post shortly after coming on. Lively without having much of an impact.
Fermin Lopez (5/10):
Not really involved, and seemed to be swept away in the intensity of the contest.
Xavi (3/10):
Went with a more traditional 4-3-3, bolstered by the return of De Jong. His team was miserable in the first half, outclassed by a high-pressing Rayo side. They were better in the second, but their attacking quality was lacking. The pressure is very much on.
