FC Barcelona vs Rayo Vallecano Player Ratings – a close win for Blaugrana puts them on top of the table

FC Barcelona capitalize on the mistakes of their rivals, as they clinch a solid 1-0 over Rayo Vallecano. This was a major result for the Cules, who are currently on the top of the table, on a level with Real Madrid.

Barcelona name an unchanged XI from the side that beat Sevilla while Rayo Vallecano make two enforced alterations from the side that won against Real Valladolid. Barcelona who scored 20 goals in their last five games, looked to continue their high intensity while Rayo were looking to extend their unbeaten run in Laliga to 10 matches.

Barcelona started the match on a high note, partly because of Raphinha, but inconsistent finishing led to no goals. But, a Ciss’ foul on Martinez inside the 18-yard box gifted the hosts with a penalty kick, which Lewandowski converted with ease. While Rayo Vallecano threatened Barcelona with their attacks on occasions and even thought that they scored an equaliser until it was chalked off for offside, Barcelona took a slender lead into the half-time interval.

Rayo Vallecano showed more intent in the second half but a lack of precision and dynamism did not allow them to get that equaliser. Barcelona nearly doubled the lead via Dani Olmo the substitute, but a key save prevented it from happening. While Garcia and de Frutos continued to work hard to get that leveller, the tactical tweaks of Flick in the second half with his substitutions ensured a crucial win for the hosts. De Frutos was given one final opportunity to steal a point at the death but he couldn’t turn his close-range header goalwards, much to Szczesny’s relief.

FC Barcelona Player Ratings

GK- Wojciech Szczesny – 7/10

He made some good saves in the match and looked composed throughout.

LB- Álex Balde – 7.5/10

He was a consistent creative outlet on the left flank, gliding past the opposition players but his final ball looked a bit iffy at times.

CB- Inigo Martinez – 7/10

He won the penalty that gave his side the lead initially. His overall game was solid, showing his experience.

CB- Pau Cubarsi – 7/10

He was assured on the ball, with his passing game was on point tonight, spraying down some excellent ones to the attackers. He looked alert defensively too.

RB- Héctor Fort – 6.5/10

The young full-back looked good defensively but offered nothing going forward and was subbed off to get replaced by an experienced player.

CM- Pedri – 8.5/10

The best player on the field like usual, controlling the midfield, creating dangerous chances, and working tirelessly. Pedri wins the Sportsdunia Player of the Match for FC Barcelona.

CM- Frenkie de Jong – 7/10

Most of the times, he looked to play it safe instead of being adventurous, but he was efficient in transitions.

CM- Gavi – 6.5/10

He did not make a big impact in the match and the booking definitely hampered the ability to do so.

LW- Raphinha – 7/10

Despite looking electric and getting into good goal-scoring positions, but a lack of clinical finishing let him down at the top-end of the pitch.

ST- Robert Lewandowski – 7.5/10

The veteran forwawrd showed his experience with his calm and composed penalty to rack up more goals to his tally.

RW- Lamine Yamal – 7.5/10

He was direct and creative and despite not scoring in the game, he was troubling the defenders a lot.

SUB- Dani Olmo – 7.5/10

He brought in some flair into the attack and even almost scored too.

SUB- Jules Koundé – 6.5/10

He was brought in to lock the lead down, and he helped the team in that process.

SUB- Eric Garcia – 6/10

A late defensive substitution to help the team seal the win.

SUB- Ferran Torres – NA

He was put in to provide some fresh legs into the pitch and he did that exactly.

SUB- Marc Casado – NA

He came in too late to make any sort of game-changing impact.

Manager- Hansi Flick – 8/10

He managed the game well, and rotated effectively with his substitutions which ensured the security of the lead.

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Rayo Vallecano Player Ratings

GK- Augusto Batalla – 8/10

He made many crucial saves and kept his side in the match. He was unlucky to not get a cleansheet tonight.

LB- Pep Chavarria – 6/10

The right flank of Barcelona gave him many troubles with which he struggled with, but he worked hard.

CB- Florian Lejeune – 6.5/10

His positioning looked good but he struggled to keep up with the intensity of the Barcelona attackers.

CB- Abdul Mumin – 7/10

He made some key blocks and his battle with Robert Lewandowski was an interesting watch of the match.

RB- Andrei Ratiu – 5.5/10

He looked shaky and vulnerable defensively and got booked as a result. He was okayish going forward.

CM- Pedro Diaz – 6/10

His workrate looked excellent but he was often overran by the opposition midfield.

CM- Pathé Ciss – 5/10

A night to forget for him as he committed a foul leading to a penalty for Barcelona and got booked in the process.

CM- Isi Palazon – 5/10

An impactless performance from the attacking midfielder, who was rightfully taken out by the manager.

LW- Álvaro Garcia – 5.5/10

There were some glimpses of creativity, but overall he was ineffective.

ST- Randy Nteka – 4.5/10

He hasn’t offered anything for the visitors at all, with not even getting some touches and was rightfully subbed out in the second half.

RW- Jorge de Frutos – 6/10

He looked like the main attacking outlet for the side, with majority of the plays going through him or initiated by him. He will be kicking himself for not getting that equaliser late in the match.

SUB- Adrián Embarba – 6/10

He had little to no impact since he came on and was unable to equalise.

SUB- Gerard Gumbau – 5/10

He brought in some fresh legs but other than that, there was nothing notable.

SUB- Oscar Trejo – 5/10

The veteran was put in to use his experience, but he was not able to do that.

SUB- Oscar Valentin – 6/10

While there was an improvement in the composure of the midfield, he was overall not that impactful.

SUB- Sergi Guardiola – NA

The senior forward came in way too late to get an equaliser.

Manager- Inigo Pérez – 6/10

While his team troubled the hosts for a large period, the substitutions were not able to make that kind of impact. He will be disheartened to let go of his unbeaten streak.

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