For Barcelona, getting a point in Vallecas is a big deal! A clumsy own goal gives Barca a sticky draw
Reading Time: 2min | Sat. 25.11.23. | 18:04
Florian Lejeune put the ball into his net to save Barcelona
After two back-to-back losses in the Madrid suburbs, an unconvincing Barcelona scraped a point away at Rayo Vallecano as the Blaugrana continues to stutter in La Liga.
It was a poor day at the office for Xavi Hernandez and his players, but at least they escaped what would have been a third consecutive La Liga defeat in the Madrid neighbourhood of Vallecas. A late own goal from Rayo Vallecano's French defender Florian Lejeune gave Barcelona a 1-1 draw and, only partially, saved the reigning champions from a new wave of criticism.
Qué GOLAZO de Unai López 😱pic.twitter.com/1OZEAT7xUZ
— REAL MADRID ♥️ (@AdriRM33) November 25, 2023
Unai Lopez gave Rayo an unexpected lead with a well-taken goal from nearly 30 metres out. He beat Barca's substitute goalkeeper Inaki Pena, who was given a starting berth in place of the injured Marc-Andre Ter Stegen.
The Catalans kept pushing forward, but a combination of poor luck, an obvious lack of confidence, and poor concentration put them in an unfavourable position of being 1-0 going into the final phase of the game.
The introduction of Raphinha from the bench helped Barca scrape their slender point. The Brazilian first hit the post barely a minute within coming on and injected some much-needed energy into Xavi's side.
However, the equalising goal came courtesy of a home player. Former Eibar and Newcastle United centre-back wanted to clear a cross that was destined to end up on Robert Lewandowski's head, but the only thing he managed to do is to poke the ball past his goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski and make it 1-1.
— Mohammed (@44KMHQ) November 25, 2023
The point Barca got today is two fewer than they wanted but also one more than they deserved for another gutless performance. Xavi will have a lot of work to do to get this team playing like they were last season - but the time is running out.
LA LIGA - Matchday 14
Friday
Alaves - Granada 3-1 (2-0)
/Torrent 11 og, Rebbach 38, Omorodion 55 - Uzuni 86 pen/
Saturday
Rayo Vallecano - Barcelona 1-1 (1-0)
/Lopez 39 - Lejeune 82 og/
18.15: (2.27) Valencia (3.35) Celta (3.35)
20.30: (1.73) Getafe (3.60) Almeria (5.40)
23.00: (1.42) Atl.Madrid (4.60) Mallorca (9.00)
Sunday
16.00: (2.35) Villareal (3.50) Osasuna (3.30)
18.15: (1.84) Sociedad (3.60) Sevilla (5.10)
20.30: (7.00) Cadiz (4.30) Real Madrid (1.56)
23.00: (1.79) Betis (3.50) Las Palmas (5.00)
Monday
23.00: (2.40) Girona (3.50) Ath.Bilbao (3.15)
23.00: (1.90) Mallorca (3.50) Cadiz (4.70)
***odds are subject to change
