FC Barcelona v Rayo Vallecano (0-1) Match Review: Xavi’s Barca Lose 3rd Consecutive Game at Camp Nou

The Barca Breakdown discussed the atrocious loss at the Camp Nou against Rayo Vallecano. For the first time in history, Rayo has defeated FC Barcelona 2 times in a season. Xavi deployed the usual starters excluding Pedri due to injury. To think the team that defeated Real Madrid at the Bernabeu 0-4, has just lost 3 consecutive games at home. After losing to Frankfurt, Cadiz, and now Rayo, Barcelona find themselves at a strong potential to lose their top four standing. 

 

Heading into the first half Barca were terrible. Passing was slow, off target, and poor in transition. Right at the 6' Rayo's Garcia receives the ball on where there are no players but a distant Dest. He takes a quick shot at Stegen;s near post and scores. Stegen did an awful job and that was Rayo's first and only shot in 90+ minutes. Barca could not recover for 113 minutes and score an equalizer. 

 

The only good players on the pitch were Gavi and Dembele. Who were close to scoring but could not finish. It seems this is the story of Barca in their recent matches. Their play is slow and predictable with possession for possession's sake. It resembled Koeman right before he got sacked. Barca only attempted offensive play with crosses that lacked any potential. 

 

There is much to say that the players looked fatigued and uninspired. Clearly underperforming; however, Xavi has a lot to do tactically to bring the team back into form to maintain a possible Champions League spot.