In a gripping La Liga encounter at Estadio de Vallecas, Rayo Vallecano and FC Barcelona battled to a 1-1 stalemate.
Lamine Yamal’s 40th-minute penalty put Barcelona ahead, showcasing their attacking prowess, but Rayo’s intense pressing and set-piece danger exposed defensive frailties.
Fran Pérez leveled the score in the 67th minute with a goal from a corner, underlining Barcelona’s vulnerability.
Despite opportunities, including misses by Dani Olmo and Eric García, neither team could clinch victory, revealing Barcelona’s need for improved finishing and stronger set-piece defending.
Joan García – 9/10
García was a standout in goal, making crucial saves, including a stunning stop on Jorge de Frutos’ shot and another on Luiz Felipe’s header.
His alertness kept Barcelona in the game, particularly during Rayo’s early pressure. However, he couldn’t prevent Fran Pérez’s equalizer from a corner.
Jules Koundé – 6.5/10
Koundé struggled defensively at times, picking up a yellow card for a foul and conceding a corner that led to Rayo’s goal.
He won a free kick in the defensive half, showing resilience, but needed to be sharper against Rayo’s wingers.
Eric García – 6/10
Eric García had a mixed game, conceding multiple corners under Rayo’s pressure and missing a close-range header late on.
He showed composure in some defensive moments but was part of a backline that struggled with set pieces.
Alejandro Balde – 6.5/10 Balde won free kicks in defensive areas, showing his pace, but was substituted after a delay due to injury.
His offensive contributions were limited, and he struggled to provide consistent width against Rayo’s aggressive play.
Andreas Christensen – 6/10 Christensen committed a foul that gifted Rayo a free kick, indicating some defensive shakiness.
He worked hard in the backline but lacked the impact to prevent Rayo’s equalizer or dominate their forwards.
Frenkie de Jong – 7.5/10
De Jong was solid in midfield, winning a free kick in the attacking half and helping to break Rayo’s press.
He conceded a corner but showed good ball retention under pressure, though he lacked a decisive creative spark.
Pedri González – 8/10
Pedri was Barcelona’s heartbeat, winning multiple free kicks and dictating play with precise passes, including setting up attacks.
His shot was blocked, but his composure and work rate earned him high praise. He was central to Barcelona’s best moments.
Lamine Yamal – 8.5/10
Yamal was the difference-maker, calmly converting a penalty to give Barcelona the lead and winning fouls with his dribbling.
His shot was saved, but his flair on the right troubled Rayo’s defense throughout.
He faded slightly after Rayo’s equalizer.
Raphinha – 6.5/10
Raphinha had moments of brilliance, storming into the box and assisting Dani Olmo’s shot, but his final ball was inconsistent, missing a shot to the left.
He was substituted late, unable to fully unlock Rayo’s defense.
Dani Olmo – 6/10
Olmo showed flashes of creativity, assisting Yamal’s shot and taking two shots himself, both missing the target.
His energy was evident, but a lack of precision in front of the goal limited his impact before being substituted.
Ferran Torres – 6/10
Torres struggled to make an impact, missing a chance to connect with Raphinha’s pass and being caught offside.
His defensive work was noted, but he lacked threat in attack and was replaced by Lewandowski.
Robert Lewandowski (Substitute) – 6/10
Lewandowski came on late for Ferran Torres but had minimal time to influence the game.
His presence added physicality, but he couldn’t find a breakthrough in the final stages.
Marcus Rashford (Substitute) – 6.5/10
Rashford’s introduction late in the game didn’t shift the momentum significantly.
He showed flashes of pace but lacked the time to create a decisive moment against a compact Rayo defense.
Fermín López (Substitute) – 6.5/10
López brought energy off the bench, adding dynamism to Barcelona’s attack in the closing stages.
He didn’t create a clear chance but helped maintain pressure as Barcelona chased a winner.
Gerard Martín (Substitute) – 6/10
Martín replaced the injured Balde late and had little time to make an impact.
He slotted into the defensive structure adequately but faced a tough Rayo side that limited his involvement.
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