Foot & Soccer Soccer Match Reports, Football News 
Barcelona locked horns with Rayo Vallecano late on Monday night time at Montjuic in a recreation that held large penalties for the league standings.
After Actual Madrid and Atletico Madrid dropped factors of their video games of the weekend, Barcelona had the possibility to go away from their rivals on the standings with a win. Taking part in Inigo Perez’s aspect, nonetheless, was by no means going to be straightforward.
The Catalans dominated the opening spell of the sport and even went forward within the first half via a Robert Lewandowski penalty.
The guests quickly pulled one again however had it dominated out for a participant obstructing the play.
The second half was extra balanced with either side creating openings. Ultimately, nonetheless, Flick’s males held on and took the three important factors.
Barça Common brings you the participant scores from Barcelona 1-0 Rayo Vallecano.
Wojciech Szczesny: 8.5
The Polish goalkeeper had an awesome exhibiting for Barcelona and largely proved why he’s the supervisor’s most well-liked possibility between the sticks together with his expertise.
Regardless of having a sluggish and uneventful begin, Szczesny had a busy closing ten minutes into the primary half and was repeatedly examined by waves of Rayo Vallecano assaults.
His finest save, by far, was a double save within the thirty seventh minute.
Alejandro Balde: 8
Barcelona’s tireless warrior down the left flank. (Photograph by Alex Caparros/Getty Photographs)
The left-back was maybe the Barcelona participant who lined probably the most floor on the night time as he tirelessly charged down the flank to pioneer counter-attacks whereas additionally staying in place defensively.
Whereas Jorge de Frutos did effectively to neutralise Balde’s crosses partially, the Spaniard’s tempo was a deadly weapon for the Catalans.
Inigo Martinez: 9
One other immense efficiency from the Spanish veteran as he rolled in contributions throughout the sector in each assault and defence.
For starters, Martinez gained the penalty that helped the membership take the lead on the night time after happening underneath the problem of Pathe Ciss.
Additional, he was immense in defence and together with his execution of the offside entice. His clearance off the road in the direction of the tip of the primary half was the cherry on the cake.
Pau Cubarsi: 8
Calm, composed, and dependable as ever together with his distribution, Cubarsi not often ever appeared to be in a spot of trouble in opposition to Rayo Vallecano final night time.
Whereas he did undergo barely within the intervals when the opponents dominated in assault, his decision-making and interceptions remained unaffected and at an elite stage.
Hector Fort: 7
The one large rotation from the common beginning lineup, Fort began instead of Jules Kounde and did decently effectively to fill in.
The academy star was dependable with the ball and together with his link-up play. Nevertheless, he was a slight defensive legal responsibility that the guests seemed to focus on.
Frenkie de Jong: 7.5
The Barcelona captain is proving himself as a worthy starter. (Photograph by Alex Caparros/Getty Photographs)
The Dutchman began as a part of the double pivot and continued his promising run of type as he seemed comfy in tight areas and excelled together with his distribution choices in midfield.
Confirmed nice mixture play with the likes of Pedri and Gavi however was barely susceptible on the break with Rayo’s transitions.
Pedri: 9
One other begin, one other peach of a show from Pedri who’s now making a critical case to be named the most effective midfielder on this planet.
The previous Golden Boy winner was silky easy on the ball, by no means appeared to be underneath any strain and all the time seemed to conjure up a defence-splitting cross that would open up the Rayo back-line.
Gavi: 7
The younger attacking midfielder performed barely deeper than the supervisor would have appreciated and did effectively together with his work off the ball.
His attacking contributions, nonetheless, have been restricted as soon as extra and he didn’t create as a lot menace within the remaining third because the supervisor would have appreciated.
Lamine Yamal: 7
Yamal seemed barely off-colour in opposition to Rayo Vallecano. (Photograph by David Ramos/Getty Photographs)
The academy winger had a barely off first half as he misplayed a couple of passes, missed a comparatively easy likelihood to attain and didn’t look as easy as he normally does together with his dribbles.
Largely accomplished a really comparable second half and by no means actually acquired going.
Raphinha: 8
The Brazilian was a protagonist within the remaining third, main the cost on counter-attacks and facilitating the buildup from the left wing.
Had a couple of superb possibilities to attain however noticed them go begging.
Robert Lewandowski: 8.5
The Pichichi chief struck gold once more for the hosts. (Photograph by Alex Caparros/Getty Photographs)
The Polish striker opened the scoring for Barcelona with a peaceful and reassuring penalty and seemed rejuvenated aside from his objective as effectively.
Nevertheless, he did miss a couple of large possibilities within the first half.
