Barcelona 1-0 Rayo Vallecano: Araujo 24
Ronald Araujo’s first-half header proved to be the only difference between Barcelona and Rayo Vallecano. It was hardly the easiest of victories and Joan Garcia was thoroughly tested, the goalkeeper keeping his sheet clean to ensure the Catalans clung to their slender advantage through a tense second half.
But victory took Barcelona seven points ahead at the top as Real Madrid prepare to face their local rivals Atletico at the Madrid derby. Dropped points there would mean that Hansi Flick’s side would look back on this fixture with a lot more fondness than the Camp Nou faithful did for much of the 90 minutes.
From the very first minute Garcia had had to make a good save to keep out Carlos Martin after the Rayo player was put through by Pep Chavarria. Barcelona went ahead on minute 24 when Joao Cancelo’s corner was headed in by Araujo, but overall Flick’s side yet again struggled to find fluency against a well-organised side. It didn’t help that Raphinha was wasteful and spurned too good chances in the early stages.
Rayo’s threat grew after the interval and Alvaro Garcia forced a save from Garcia, before the Barcelona goalkeeper then intervened to deny Unai Lopez a dangerous header powerful header from a corner.
Pacha Espino breached Barcelona’s infamous high line and had the chance to punish them but his effort went over the bar. Barcelona tried to attack but were powerless as Rayo kept coming. Late on, Jorge de Frutos had sight of goal and unloaded, but Garcia parried.
Flick was full of praise for his goalkeeper after the game. “Joan is a fantastic player, and he’s showing why we signed him last summer,” said Barcelona’s coach. “He was outstanding today.”
