Rayo Vallecano 1-0 Barcelona: Match Review

Barcelona took on Rayo Vallecano coming off a defeat in El Clasico. The humiliating defeat at home was expected to be enough to trigger a response from the visitors, but Ronald Koeman’s side slumped to a second successive defeat.

The defeat puts insurmountable pressure on the manager’s shoulders as he seems closer than ever to losing his job.

Koeman opted for a host of changes on the night, especially given the injury crisis. Nico Gonzalez, Sergi Roberto, Phillipe Coutinho and Sergio Aguero replaced Gavi, Oscar Mingueza, Frenkie de Jong and Ansu Fati respectively.

First Half

Barcelona made a sloppy start to the game with a few loose passes. They quickly recovered their rhythm, but the hosts were the more energetic in the opening minutes.

Rayo Vallecano caught Barcelona unguarded as early as the third minute. Trejo stole the ball and attempted a ridiculous chip that Ter Stegen luckily got his fingertips to.

Nico won the ball in a dangerous area in the eighth minute and laid it to Depay. The Dutchman released a powerful shot that went wide of the post. Dest followed up a minor later with a tight dribble, but his cross was well intercepted.

Nico continued his dominating performance with a well-worked dribble in the 16th minute. After getting past his man, he sent in a lovely incisive pass to Kun Aguero, who went down in the box but did not win the penalty.

Falcao attempted an atrocious shot from outside the box in the 19th minute. The ball looked set to curl into the net, but a timely deflection from Pique steered it wide.

Sergino Dest received the ball in the box 25 minutes into the game in a half chance. The USMNT player took the shot, but it hit the side netting.

The first breakthrough of the game came in the 29th minute. Though Barcelona were dominating the play, Sergio Busquets had it robbed under broad daylight. A lovely through ball to Radamel Falcao gave him an excellent chance, and he did not disappoint. The forward came up with a well-timed turn before crafting it around ter Stegen.

Memphis Depay created a chance out of nothing in the 35th minute. However, Dest sent it flying over the crossbar, reminiscent of his miss in the Clasico. Another wonderful string of chances arose for the visitors four minutes later. There was chaos in the box with the ball rolling between feet in scrambled exchanges. However, the threat was well defended by Rayo Vallecano.

Barcelona walked into the dressing room chasing a goal for the second time in as many games. And while some may argue that they did not deserve to be trailing in the game, the defensive frailties once again proved the harsh reality.

Second Half

Rayo Vallecano got the second half underway, but Barcelona had the first big chance of the half. Eric Garcia’s ball over the top found Nico, who controlled it perfectly. After a sensational first touch and turn, the youngster fired his shot just wide.

In the 54th minute, Sergio Aguero and Sergino Dest combined to create a lovely opening. The USMNT player controlled the ball after receiving it from Kun and returned the ball to the Argentine in the box. However, the angle was tight, and Aguero’s shot was just off.

Jordi Alba received a knock on his knee soon after, and tensions were high for Barcelona could not afford more injuries. However, the Spaniard managed to continue amidst massive relief for the fans.

Sergio Aguero was again in the spotlight after receiving the ball at the hour mark. The Copa America winner was up directly against the goalkeeper but couldn’t find the right finish.

Yusuf Demir replaced Sergi Roberto as Koeman first change of the night. That meant that from the hour mark, Dest returned to right back.

Barcelona and Rayo Vallecano were equally matched for the next ten minutes, with no real chances created on either side. Barcelona lost their firepower going forward and suddenly seemed out of ideas.

A big moment for Barcelona came in the 70th minute when Memphis Depay was taken down from behind in the box. Barcelona were awarded a penalty and gifted a chance to return into the game. However, Dmitrivsky dived the right way and denied the Dutchman from the spot.

Gavi replaced Coutinho in the 78th minute and joined Nico in midfield.

Aguero headed a corner straight to the Rayo goalkeeper in the 78th minute, but the shot-stopper convincingly denied the Argentine. However, he stayed on the ground and required medical attention. Though it seemed like he could not continue, Dimitrievsky was soon back on his feet.

Luuk de Jong came on for Nico Gonzalez for Ronald Koeman’s final substitution of the day.

Esteban Saveljich came close to doubling the hosts lead in the final minute, but his header was just over the bar. Eight minutes of extra time were added on. Luuk de Jong had the first chance of Extra time, but his shot was nowhere close to the target.

Alvaro almost doubled Rayo’s lead in the 93rd minute but was denied only because of a superb interception from Dest.

The luxurious eight minutes could not change Barcelona’s fortunes as Rayo Vallecano boldly held on to their deserved lead. Koeman’s side lost their second league game in a row and now further fall back in the table to 9th place.