Barça are still second with the same number of points as Sevilla. Despite the blunder at home, a place in the Champions League with five games to go does not seem to be a problem. The lead on number five Real Betis is six points.
With the defeat of Barcelona, Real Madrid is a little closer to a new league title. Only if Barcelona now win five times and Real lose five times, the capitals will not become champions on goal difference. In all other cases, the title belongs to the team of coach Carlo Ancelotti. On April 30, Real will have one point enough for the title at home against Espanyol.
Rayo Vallecano celebrates the opening goal.
AFP
The start for Barcelona was a disastrous one in their own stadium. After attacking over many checkers, Alvaro Garcia rounded out Rivera on behalf of the guests. Sergiño Dest was beaten in the rear, while Marc-André ter Stegen was also unable to stop the apparently tenable effort.
In the remainder of the first half, Barcelona was of course better than the opponent, but that did not lead to a goal. Gavi was closest to the equalizer, but the only 17-year-old midfielder did not get further than the post.
Dutch invaders
In the second half, two more Dutchmen came in when substitutes came in. Coach Xavi fully realized that something had to be done and brought Memphis Depay and Luuk de Jong inside the lines. Frenkie de Jong was substituted for Nico after an hour.
About 20 minutes before the end, Depay had a good chance to equalize, but he couldn’t find more than the body of a defender. The begging for a penalty was ignored by referee Isidro Diaz de Mera. Ten minutes later, the Dutchman tried with a mop shot. Goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski saved with some effort.
Failed Circumcision
Luuk de Jong also asserted himself, but his attempt at a bicycle kick only hit the head of a defender. De Jong received a yellow card for dangerous play. In the seething final offensive, Barcelona still had a number of opportunities, but the team was unable to pass goalkeeper Dimitrievski to the disappointment of the 57,000 fans. In the 103rd minute, a bet by Ousmane Dembélé was removed from the line.