Barcelona locked the horns with Rayo Vallecano late Monday evening in Montjuic in a match that had massive consequences for the League classification.
After Real Madrid and Atletico, Madrid have lost points in their weekend matches, Barcelona had the chance to get away from their rivals in the standings with a victory. However, playing the side of Inigo Perez was never going to be easy.
The Catalans dominated the opening fate of the game and even continued in the first half thanks to a penalty by Robert Lewandowski.
Visitors quickly withdrew one, but had excluded it for a player hindering the game.
The second half was more balanced with the two parts creating openings. In the end, however, Flick’s men maintained themselves and took the three vital points.
Barça Universal brings you the ratings of Barcelona 1-0 Rayo Vallecano players.
Wojciech Szczesny: 8.5
The Polish goalkeeper had an excellent performance for Barcelona and has greatly proven why he is the favorite option of the manager between the sticks with his experience.
Despite a slow and unanswered start, Szczesny had a ten-minute closure in the first half and was tested several times by waves of attacks by Rayo Vallecano.
His best stop, by far, was a double stop in the 37th minute.
Alejandro Balde: 8
The left rear was perhaps the Barcelona player who covered the most field of the night while he was tirelessly loading the flank for the pioneer of counterattacks while remaining in a position on the defensive.
While Jorge de Frutos did well to neutralize the Balde crosses in part, the rhythm of the Spanish was a deadly weapon for the Catalans.
Inigo Martinez: 9
Another immense performance of the Spanish veteran when he rolled in contributions through the field both in attack and in defense.
To start, Martinez won the penalty that helped the club take the head of the night after taking up the challenge of Pathe Ciss.
In addition, it was immense in defense and with its execution of the offside trap. His release out of the line towards the end of the first half was the icing on the cake.
Pau Cubarsi: 8
Calm, composed and reliable that never with its distribution, Cubarsi rarely seemed to be a place to disturb against Rayo Vallecano last night.
Although he suffered slightly in the periods when adversaries dominated in attack, his decision -making and his interceptions remained unaffected and at an elite level.
Fort Hector: 7
The only big rotation of the regular starting program, Fort began in place of Jules Kounde and did decently well to fill.
The academy star was reliable with the ball and with his liaison game. However, it was a slight defensive responsibility that visitors sought to target.
Frenkie de Jong: 7.5
The Dutchman began as part of the double pivot and continued his promising form when he looked comfortable in limited spaces and excelled with his distribution decisions in the midfield.
Showed an excellent combination game with Pedri and Gavi, but was slightly vulnerable on the break with the transitions of Rayo.
Pedri: 9
Another beginning, another fishing of a Pedri display which now makes a serious file to be named the best midfielder in the world.
The former winner of Golden Boy was silky on the ball, never seemed to be under pressure and always sought to evoke a pass that could open the rear line of Rayo.
GAVI: 7
The young attacking midfielder played a little more than the manager would have liked it and did well with his work out of the ball.
His contributions to the attackers, however, were again limited and he did not create as much threat in the last third as the manager would have liked it.
Lamine Yamal: 7
The academy’s winger had a slight half-time slightly in the first half when he played a few passes badly, missed a relatively simple chance to score and does not seem as fluid as D ‘Usually with his dribbles.
Much finished a very similar second half and has never really started.
Raphinha: 8
The Brazilian was a protagonist in the last third, leading the charge on counterattacks and facilitating the accumulation of the left wing.
Had some chances of brands of brands, but saw them go beggar.
Robert Lewandowski: 8.5
The Polish striker opened the Barcelona scoring with a calm and reassuring penalty and also looked rejuvenated from his goal.
However, he missed some big chances in the first half.
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