Barcelona‘s perfect start to the new La Liga season was ended on Sunday as Hansi Flick’s side were held to a 1-1 draw at Rayo Vallecano. Lamine Yamal had given the defending champions the lead from the penalty spot, but they were pegged back in the second half amid what was an unconvincing performance.
Joan Garcia had to be alert to save from Andrei Ratiu after Vallecano worked an early opening, while at the other end Raphinha wasted two good opportunities, first shooting wide when he should have passed to Ferran Torres before then failing to find the España striker with the goal gaping.
Instead, it was left to Yamal to open the scoring, albeit in controversial circumstances. The teenager was felled in the penalty area, though the contact was minimal. However, with VAR offline, the decision could not be reviewed and Yamal stepped up to net from the penalty spot.
Dani Olmo blazed over from close range when he should have made it 2-0 shortly before half-time, and both he and Barca were eventually made to pay when Rayo substitute Fran Perez volleyed in off the crossbar from a corner.
From there, both teams had chances to win it, as Joan Garcia again saved well to deny Jorge de Frutos while Eric Garcia headed over from a Marcus Rashford corner. The best opportunity, however, fell to Jorge Camello, but he scuffed his effort with the goal gaping after another Joan Garcia save.
BALLGM rates Barca’s players from Estadio de Vallecas…
Barcelona’s perfect start to the new La Liga season was ended on Sunday as Hansi Flick’s side were held to a 1-1 draw at Rayo Vallecano. Lamine Yamal had given the defending champions the lead from the penalty spot, but they were pegged back in the second half amid what was an unconvincing performance.
Joan Garcia had to be alert to save from Andrei Ratiu after Vallecano worked an early opening, while at the other end Raphinha wasted two good opportunities, first shooting wide when he should have passed to Ferran Torres before then failing to find the Spain striker with the goal gaping.
Instead, it was left to Yamal to open the scoring, albeit in controversial circumstances. The teenager was felled in the penalty area, though the contact was minimal. However, with VAR offline, the decision could not be reviewed and Yamal stepped up to net from the penalty spot.
Dani Olmo blazed over from close range when he should have made it 2-0 shortly before half-time, and both he and Barca were eventually made to pay when Rayo substitute Fran Perez volleyed in off the crossbar from a corner.
From there, both teams had chances to win it, as Joan Garcia again saved well to deny Jorge de Frutos while Eric Garcia headed over from a Marcus Rashford corner. The best opportunity, however, fell to Jorge Camello, but he scuffed his effort with the goal gaping after another Joan Garcia save.
BALLGM rates Barca’s players from Estadio de Vallecas…
Joan Garcia (9/10):
Outstanding. Superb first-half save denied Ratiu before again spreading himself well to keep out De Frutos after the break. Routinely showed great awareness to rush off his line and end attacks, while his distribution was excellent, too.
Jules Kounde (5/10):
Linked up well with Yamal and was solid defensively despite picking up a booking early in the second half. Perhaps to blame for the equaliser as he got dragged inside from the corner.
Eric Garcia (5/10):
Played a couple of nice through-balls and carried the ball well. However, his risk-taking sometimes led to turnovers in dangerous areas, which he needs to cut out.
Andreas Christensen (7/10):
Stepped into the backline and ensured his presence was felt. Made a couple of superb last-ditch challenges to keep Rayo from getting strikes on goal.
Alejandro Balde (5/10):
The hosts routinely targeted his flank as they delivered balls over the left-back’s head to good effect. Did contribute to a couple of good attacking moves.
Pedri (8/10):
Saw his influence on the match grow and grow, to the point he was dancing through the Rayo midfield at times. A joy to watch in full flow.
Frenkie de Jong (5/10):
Wore the captain’s armband but struggled to show much authority at the heart of the Barca midfield. Largely kept things simple with his passing.
Dani Olmo (4/10):
Far from his best game as he too often lost possession in the final third. Also missed a huge chance to make it 2-0 shortly before half-time. Substituted after an hour.
Lamine Yamal (7/10):
Controversially won the penalty that he scored and proved a consistent threat, even if he ran down blind alleys a little too often.
Ferran Torres (5/10):
Couldn’t get too many sights of goal, though might have had two tap-ins had Raphinha showed more composure inside the penalty area. Worked hard if nothing else.
Raphinha (4/10):
Really not his game. Wasted two great opportunities in the first half and couldn’t get anything going after the break before being replaced by Rashford.
Marcus Rashford (5/10):
Had a couple of bright moments but wasn’t much of an improvement on Raphinha for the final 30 minutes.
Fermin Lopez (5/10):
Struggled to get into the game in what could be his final appearance for the club.
Gerard Martin (5/10):
Replaced Balde but looked just as suspect defensively.
Robert Lewandowski (5/10):
Found himself in the wars upon his return to action after injury and never got a sight of goal.
Hansi Flick (5/10):
His high line comes with risks, and those were highlighted on multiple occasions by Rayo. He will argue that his side would have won had they shown more composure in the penalty area, which is true.
