1. Initial surge, goal for Rayo
It was rehearsed and Iñigo Pérez’s team got down to business to suffocate, or at least block, Barça’s play on the Blaugrana pitch. Rayo were interested in getting their fans into the game from the start and putting Ter Stegen’s defenders in doubt.
Several rotations in the home team – a lot of physical speed with Camello, Frutos, Álvaro García and, somewhat less, Isi Palazón – and the only inclusion of Gerard Martín, instead of Balde, by Hansi Flick. The local objective is to beat one of the ‘big ones’; FC Barcelona’s incentives are to get the 9 points and lead alone after seeing Celta (unfairly) fall against Villarreal.
The first quarter was Rayo’s, and not because of more pressure or football. Bernal and the centre-backs had no problems inside, but they did on the outside.
Koundé and Gerard Martín were receiving attacks from Espino and Balliu, complicating things. An outside move, a pass from Frutos and Unai López made it 1-0. The reward was the local lines back. They started to ‘chip away’ with Raphinha and Lamine very focused.
2. Take down Moomin and Lejeune
The game seemed to be resolved in two ways: with the ball moving or some individual brilliance. Dani Olmo came on to the pitch and the Barça’s inside play improved noticeably to the chagrin of Lejeune and Mumin. Lewandowski began to enter the competition. Barça were always disciplined but EXPLORING Pedri’s internal channels, nobody accompanied him in the first half. Calm, Olmo combined his football with the Barça talent and the play of Flick’s team returned in the second half, brilliantly executed against Athletic Bilbao. With more offensive rhythm and one-on-one duels, the Blaugrana found opportunities on the wings and inside, giving Raphinha the equaliser to Robert Lewandowski, who was annoyed by a slight deflection by Cárdenas. The comeback was in mind despite not having even managed to equalise.
3. Exquisite Blaugrana football
It was obvious that the equaliser was begging to happen in Vallecas. And the team that started the attack in the final metres got it. Pedri touched the ball, Raphinha gave it to him in the area and with a subtle left-footed shot, Cárdenas gave in. After the equaliser, Rayo continued to focus on joining lines and defending. But the tiredness produced by chasing the ball took its toll despite the changes. Lewandowski had a goal disallowed but nobody (and ‘nobody’, you know who it is exceptionally for in my articles) could prevent Barça’s comeback. Olmo was in charge of certifying the superiority and Hansi Flick of celebrating the 9 points with class. Desperate final minutes for Rayo, centreing the ball into the Barcelona area and finishing off thanks to the aerial power of Iñigo Martínez, Pau Cubarsí and the expeditious Ter Stegen. Sole leader and good feelings increasing.
