Rayo Vallecano-Barcelona 1-1: goal by Unai Lopez and own goal

No way. Xavi still has to postpone his first victory with Rayo. In the Madrid district of Vallecas it ended 1-1, with Barça unable to overcome the team from the capital for the fifth consecutive time: 2 draws and 3 defeats. Barcelona went behind and recovered thanks to an own goal, but it is clear that Madrid is not exactly a hunting ground for the Catalans: in the last 13 games 2 wins, 4 draws and 7 defeats. Barça is sleeping at -1 from Madrid and -3 from Girona, respectively playing tomorrow in Cadiz and on Monday with Athletic at home.

the choices

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First match without Gavi, who broke his cruciate in the national team, Xavi also has to do without Ter Stegen, replaced by Iñaki Peña, and leaves Araujo, Kounde, Gundogan and Joao Felix on the bench, focusing on Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres in attack alongside Lewandowski. In Rayo, Alvaro Garcia, the star of the Madrid team, was disqualified.

Rayo advantage

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Great atmosphere at the Vallecas stadium, but a first half with little emotion. A little something from Lamine Yamal, his only penthouse, great enthusiasm from Rayo, Barça held back and with few ideas. And punished at dusk by a great right-footed shot from Unai Lopez, who in the 39th minute first hit the ball rebounded by Iñigo Martinez following an attempt from the edge of Trejo. Iñaki Peña’s dive to his left was not flawless. First goal of the season from the Rayo pivot, and Barcelona forced to chase.

the changes and the post

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After a high shot from Cancelo, Xavi started to move his players and in the 55th minute he brought in Gundogan and Joao Felix for Oriol Romeu, in constant difficulty, and Ferran Torres, in constant shadow. Pedri immediately came close to equalizing with a header. Xavi also introduced Raphinha and Fermin and the Brazilian hit the post with the first ball he touched, resulting in the risk of an own goal by Rayo.

the draw

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An own goal that arrived shortly after: in the 82nd minute Inigo Martinez’s pass to Balde, a first-time cross and Lejeune who, to anticipate Lewandowski’s header, beats Dimitrievski, offering Barcelona a lucky but deserved draw. Then a long recovery, the Blaugrana pressure but nothing significant to report.