Barcelona only chance in the first half came from Lamine Yamal as he defeated three of Rayo players before firing a shoot but was saved by Stole Dimitrievski. With Ter Stegen out with a minor injury and Gavi out for a long term, Inaki Pena started on goal. With Frenkie De Jong and Pedri back from injury and starting together, we were hoping to see a force in the attack to reckon with but the attacks were just blunt and sluggish in moving the ball into dangerous areas. Jules Kounde and Araujo were given the rest as Inigo Martinez and Christensen were given the start along with Alejandro Balde and Joao Cancelo saw the game out.
Joao Felix and Raphinha and Gundogan were on the bench. Barcelona had a chance from Pedri but his curler was saved effortlessly by the goalkeeper. Rayo Vallecano opened the score line in the 38th minute with a goalazo through Unai Lopez. A cross was saved and a rebound followed from 25 yards out to beat Inaki Pena. In what appears to be a controversial goal as Barcelona felt a player in an offside was interfering with play while the goal went in but VAR decided the goal stand.
The second half commenced and Barcelona kept fighting to come back. Joao Cancelo tried but he missed the goal by a margin from outside the box. Ferran Torres header from a cross by Oriol Romeu was saved without a scare, Pedri header missed the goal by a margine, Raphinha outside the box shot hit the woodwork and no rebound was made. Barcelona goal came from an own goal by Florian Lejeune from Alejandro Balde cross.
There as a foul on Raphinha that appears to be a penalty but VAR or the referee didn’t even have a look at the video and blowed for a goal kick. In as much as Barcelona felt robbed but that shouldn’t be an excuse because they played poorly and below standard throughout the game. They have nobody to blame but themselves and work harder on improving everyday. Their next match is against Porto at Home. Can they secure all 3 points and guarantee themselves a spot in the Champions League Round of 16 for the first time since Lionel Messi departure? Only one way to find out tomorrow.
PLAYERS RATING
1. INAKI PENA 7/10: Despite a dreadful game, Inaki Pena wasn’t bad decision seeing Marc Ter Stegen on injury. Could’ve done better to keep that ball going in from 25 yards out.
2. JOAO CANCELO 7.3/10: Joao Cancelo was great at defense and both attack wise but he just couldn’t find the net.
3. INIGO MARTINEZ 7.5/10: His ability to find Alejandro Balde with a long ball that lead to Barcelona equalizer was beautiful to see. He also had a decent game.
4. CHRISTENSEN 7/10: He was solid at defense but not so great of a performance.
5. ALEJANDRO BALDE 7/10: His cross looking to find Lewandoski was what lead to Barcelona equalizer. Aside that, not the performance we were expecting from him.
6. FRENKIE DE JONG 6.8/10: Arguably one of his worst performance this season seeing he just returned from injury. He lost the ball too easily and wasn’t lethal attack wise.
7. PEDRI 7.5/10: Did all his best to get a goal but the keeper was just too good. His header missed the goal by a margin but he control the tempo of the game beautifully.
8. ORIOL ROMEU 7.2/10: He recovered the ball easily whenever it was misplaced. He always has a good game while playing with Frenkie.
9. FERRAN TORRES 6.6/10: We barely saw Ferran Torres in the game and the only chance he had to score, he couldn’t find the net with his head.
10. LEWANDOWSKI 6.8/10: Lewandowski was below average. Is age finally catching up with him? Is he declining? Because his performances lately have dropped drastically.
11. LAMINE YAMAL 7.7/10: Literally the only threat we had in attack was from Lamine Yamal. He dribbled with flair but couldn’t find the net.
12. RAPHINHA 7.2/10: He came in as a substitute and change the game entirely with his activities in attack. Literally the only player willing to try a shot from outside the box which hit the woodwork. Could have earned a penalty but VAR didn’t even have a second look at it.
13. GUNDOGAN 7.5/10: He came and change the tempo of the game while keeping possession of the ball.
14. JOAO FELIX 6.8/10: Anytime he came in contact with the ball, he drew 3 Rayo defenders to himself there by creating space for his teammates.
15. FERMIN LOPEZ 6.5/10