Barca win but disappoint, Rayo miss a chance to do Madrid a favour

A cat-and-mouse game between Barcelona and Rayo Vallecano at Camp Nou brought the Catalans a seven-point lead over Real Madrid at the top of the La Liga table ahead of tonight's Derbi Madrileno (23.00).

Hansi Flick's men didn't shine. On the contrary, they were pretty uninspired and probably tired after a mid-week Champions League match against Newcastle. On Wednesday, they demolished the Magpies, putting seven goals past them, and, as if they ran out of firepower, the clash against Rayo was a whole other story - 1-0.

Still, a win is a win, and every point is vital in this delicate moment when La Liga enters its final stage.

Barca's biggest problem was a lack of concentration, which, in turn, led to inefficiency. During the opening 45 minutes, the home team shot nine times, but found the net only once through the resurrected Ronald Araujo after a corner kick in the 24th minute.

Chances were coming one after another, but goals did not. Flick subbed on Ferran Torres at the break for Robert Lewandowski, but the substitution up front brought little improvement.

And then Rayo showed why they barely lost to Real Madrid this season and why they have reached the UEFA Conference League quarter-finals.

Pillar of Inter Milan’s defense would only head to one stadium – Camp Nou

From the hour mark until the end of the match, Barcelona were on the ropes, and the only man who held their head above water was their keeper, Joan Garcia.

The new Spain international made a couple of superb saves after Alvaro Garcia and Unai Lopez's efforts, depriving the brave visitors of a (deserved) equalizer.

Flick tried to wake up his team by subbing on Marcus Rashford and Dani Olmo, but the chances kept coming in front of Barca's net.

In the 83rd minute, the Catalans' offside trap fell seriously short, but Alfonso Espino missed an unbelievable chance, which, in the end, cost Rayo a defeat. Barca do not allow many opportunities to their rivals, so wasting them means a certain defeat.

Barcelona did what was necessary, despite one of their worst displays in the season. Now it's Los Blancos' turn to respond or practically forfeit the title.

LA LIGA - MATCHDAY 29

Friday

Villarreal - Real Sociedad 3-1 (3-0)

/Moreno 7, Mikautadze 15, Pepe 23 - Sucic 47/

Saturday

Elche - Mallorca 2-1 (0-0)

/Mir 62, Morente 71 - Torre 58/

Espanyol - Getafe 1-2 (0-2)

/Fernandez 68 - Duarte 45+3, Arambarri 45+7/

Levante - Oviedo 4-2 (2-2)

/Espi 4, 25, Losada 52, Romero 90+3 - Chaira 44, Vinas 45+3 pen/

Osasuna - Girona 1-0 (0-0)

/Budimir 80/

Sevilla - Valencia 0-2 (0-0)

/Duro 38, Ramazani 45+5/

Sunday

Barcelona - Rayo Vallecano 1-0 (1-0)

/Araujo 24/

18.15: (1.87) Celta (3.40) Alaves (4.50)

20.30: (2.30) Ath.Bilbao (3.45) Betis (3.30)

23.00: (2.00) Real Madrid (3.90) Atl.Madrid (3.65)

***odds are subject to change***