Spanish champions Barcelona slipped up in a 1-1 draw at Rayo Vallecano on Saturday in La Liga, persevering with a worrying run of underwhelming performances. Shock leaders Girona and rivals Actual Madrid in second now have the prospect to increase their lead on the third-place Catalans over the following two days. Unai Lopez drove Rayo forward from lengthy vary within the first half however Barca levelled by way of Florian Lejeune’s personal purpose within the 82nd minute.
The draw provides to the doubts round Barcelona, who haven’t been at their finest for a number of weeks and face Porto on Tuesday searching for Champions League knock-out spherical qualification.
“I believe it was a recreation of two halves, within the first we dominated however we weren’t aggressive sufficient to trigger harm,” Xavi instructed DAZN.
“Within the second we had been, we scored a purpose and will have had others … we have to win these video games if we wish to win the league.
“We’ve got to be self-critical, it is costing us an excessive amount of this season giving issues away … in fashionable soccer so much modifications after they rating in opposition to you.”
Inaki Pena began in purpose for Barca with Marc-Andre ter Stegen out with a again downside, whereas Xavi turned to the fit-again Frenkie de Jong to interchange the injured Gavi in midfield.
The 19-year-old’s cruciate ligament tear will maintain him out for the season, with Barcelona shedding a participant the coach has described because the “soul” of the workforce.
Barcelona gamers wore shirts earlier than kick off along with his identify on the again, and a message saying “we’re with you, Gavi”.
Pena spilled the ball the primary time he was referred to as into motion however recovered rapidly to clear up the hazard. The goalkeeper then denied Oscar Valentin after De Jong misplaced the ball on the sting of his personal field.
Hosts Rayo began properly, inspired by having crushed Barca on three of their 4 earlier clashes, together with twice at their ramshackle Vallecas stadium.
They took the lead after 39 minutes when Lopez hammered an outstanding effort into the underside proper nook from round 30 yards out after the ball was cleared into his path.
Rayo got here near including a second in stoppage time however Alejandro Balde was alert to chop Jorge de Frutos’ low cross out with two Rayo attackers able to pounce.
Lack of depth
Xavi mentioned Barca would miss Gavi’s “depth, coronary heart and braveness” in opposition to Francisco Rodriguez’s facet and he was confirmed proper, though they improved a bit of after the break.
Ferran Torres may need levelled early within the second half with a header however despatched it too near Rayo goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski. Xavi instantly changed the winger, together with Oriol Romeu after one other disappointing shift on the base of Barca’s midfield, sending Ilkay Gundogan and Joao Felix on.
Pedri headed narrowly over from Robert Lewandowski‘s cross and Inigo Martinez nodded a Gundogan free kick off course too as Barca sought the equaliser.
Raphinha’s raking effort struck the submit and Rayo hacked Lewandowski’s tried end from the rebound off the road.
Ultimately the Catalans levelled with eight minutes remaining when Lejeune diverted Balde’s cross into his personal web, beneath stress from Lewandowski. Raphinha appealed for a penalty in stoppage time when he fell after Pacha Espino challenged him, however the officers didn’t oblige.
“We did not play properly, we weren’t on the degree that we could be,” De Jong instructed DAZN.
“We’ve got to work to enhance — the plan is nice, we’re assured, everybody ran as a lot as they may. I believe that we weren’t good in possession.”
Barcelona now have did not beat Rayo in 5 matches and will fall six factors behind Girona if their neigbours beat Athletic Bilbao on Monday at Montilivi.
Actual Madrid, two factors away from Barca, go to Cadiz on Sunday, whereas fourth place Atletico Madrid host Mallorca later Saturday.
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