It was an unchanged side for Perez tonight as Rayo Vallecano looked to bounce back from their narrow 1-0 defeat to Athletic Bilbao last time out in the league. Diaz and Frutos continued up front while Garcia, started from the left. Rayo Vallecano had lost their last three La Liga games against Barcelona, with all three being since Iñigo Pérez’s arrival. This came after scoring and being unbeaten in each of their previous five games against the Catalans in the competition.
Meanwhile, Barcelona had only won one of their last four La Liga away games against Rayo Vallecano of which they drew 1 and lost 2, after winning their previous six away games against the home side in top-flight.
Also, after having won each of their previous three home games, Rayo Vallecano had only won one of their last eight home La Liga games which was in May 2025 against Getafe. They drew 5 and lost 2.
Will Flick’s defensive adjustments tighten up the leaky backline?
On the other end, Flick makes four changes after an edgy victory over Levante last weekend. Cubarsi and Araujo came out of the back for Christensen alongside Garcia at centre-back. Kounde came in at right-back while Casado made way for captain De Jong, who partnered with Pedri in midfield. Raphinha switched to the left, allowing Olmo to settle into the number 10 role as Rashford was dropped from the line up.
Flick’s side which had won their last nine away games in La Liga, their best away run in the competition since March 2021 under Ronald Koeman (9) seemed poised to take all three points against Rayo Vallecano.
The main action
Four minutes after Lamine Yamal’s left footed effort from the right side of the box was saved by Batalla in the center of the goal in the 4th minute, Barca were faced with a huge chance as Lopez made a blind pass in midfield which created a chance for Raphinha to shoot inside the area. The Brazilian took a couple of touches to evade the defender and sent a right-footed shot wide of the far post while Torres was screaming for a pass from the penalty spot.
Romanian international, Ratiu could have put Rayo ahead in the 22nd minute when Alvaro Garcia pulled the ball back to him on the six-yard box, but Joan Garcia was quick to come off his line and smother the ball excellently. An exciting first-half ended with tempers flaring as Rayo Vallecano were furious with the penalty decision in which Yamal went down under what seemed like minimal contact by Chevarria. Yamal found the back of the net as Barca took the lead. The home side had been fast, direct and relentless both on and off possession of the ball. Meanwhile Isi and De Frutos were also making darting runs at the Barcelona back line, pulling them out of position each time Rayo countered. Raphina made a pass to Torres even after getting clear in front goal but Torres who was not ready for the pass missed the chance.
Within seconds into the second half, Rayo reacted with De Frutos down the right who found Isi once more running clear of the Barca centre-backs. His efforts were directed towards the bottom left corner but goalkeeper Garcia was there to make a remarkable save.
Shortly afterwards Barca looked dangerous through Olmo as they worked the ball well to find Torres on the edge of the box. He laid a well timed pass off to onrushing Olmo who sidefoots a powerful effort a tad wide of the top corner.
Inigo Perez tried to go full throttle for the win as he substituted Lopez for Fran Perez onto the right-wing in the 59th minute. Three minutes later, Raphinha was replaced by striker Rashford on the left-wing as Barca hoped to double their lead. While Olmo, was replaced by Fermin.
Rayo came close to leveling the score line in the 62nd minute as Eric Garcia gave the ball away to Alvaro Garcia who found De Frutos inside the area. The forward struck the ball past Joan Garcia but was flagged for offside.
Rayo built more pressure and were rewarded in the 67th minute as the substitute Perez volleyed in a corner kick from Isi off the crossbar.
Rayo almost took the lead when Isi volleyed an inch-perfect pass for De Frutos, who finished straight at goalkeeper Joan Garcia.
Martin made his first appearance of the season as he came on for Balde with just 12 minutes of regular time left. Meanwhile, veteran star Lewandowski came on for Torres as Barca tried to take all three points.
Isi swiveled in midfield to escape two Barca players and played a throughball which was barely cut out by Martin. Moments later, he got a chance at goal, but his left-footed effort was blocked by Christensen. Camello got on the rebound and found the back of the net, but was flagged up for offside against Perez earlier in the move.
It was not over as Pedri was dispossessed in midfield in the first minute of stoppage time, and Perez was released on the right side. He cut in on goal and took a powerful shot at goal which was saved once again by Joan Garcia. Camello seemingly had all the time in the world to finish the rebound six-yards out but completely lost his composure and miskicks in front of a gaping goal which Joan Garcia gratefully collects.
Flick will be disappointed heading into the international break as Barca dropped points on a weekend where rivals Real Madrid maintained their 100% record. Rayo will travel to Osasuna next while Barca will host Valencia in two weeks.
Watch highlights of the game here: https://youtu.be/UDR0rIS0_M0?si=S_e05S_HIqO_70E4
