FC Barcelona Versus Rayo Vallecano: Result And Five Things We Learned
FC Barcelona drew 1-1 with Rayo Vallecano in La Liga on Sunday.
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FC Barcelona Drew 1-1 is the Rayo Vallecano in La Liga on Sunday, blemishing a previously earned 100% record in the defense of its top flight crown.
Lamine Yamal scored a penalty he won in the 40th minute to give Barca the lead in Vallecas.
In the 67th minute, however, Fran Perez Martinez equalized and ended up stealing a point for the hosts.
Here are five things we learned from the tie.
Joan Garcia is a ‘porterazo’ (a great goalkeeper) for FC Barcelona
Come the full time whistle, there could be no doubts about who should take home the MVP award.
That was Joan Garciawho despite making impressive saves in Barca’s two opening victories this season, announced himself to the world properly with a string of world class stops.
Some of them were from incredibly close range and kept out what were certain to be Rayo goals.
Thanks to the ex-Espanyol man saving their blushes, however, Garcia saved his blushes and guaranteed that they remain undefeated.
Lamine Yamal is a penalty taking option for FC Barcelona
With Robert Lewandowski on the bench, Lamine Yamal was allowed to take the penalty that he won.
It was his first as a senior Blaugrana star, but as we’ve seen so often, the teenager felt no pressure whatsoever with the score tied 0-0.
Slotting home his effort cool and composed, he is a genuine option as an FC Barcelona penalty taker moving forward.
Lamine Yamal converted a penalty to give FC Barcelona a 1-0 lead against Rayo Vallecano.
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Dani Olmo did not take his chance to nail down the FC Barcelona CAM spot
With Gavi out injured and Fermin Lopez’s future up in the air, Olmo was handed his first start of the season.
He was given a golden opportunity to impress Flick and try to nail down the CAM spot, but fell short with little impact.
Missing a golden chance inside the penalty area and another on the edge of the box, Fermin might get the nod after the international break if he hasn’t left for Chelsea.
FC Barcelona’s defense isn’t what it once was
One of the keys to domestic treble-winning success in 2024/2025, Barca’s defense hasn’t been what it was last term and has already leaked three goals in three games which would have been more without Garcia’s heroics.
Granted Pau Cubarsi and Ronald Araujo were both absent here to make way for Eric Garcia and Andreas Christensen.
But even they weren’t as reliable as usual and didn’t pull off the offside trap to previous effect.
FC Barcelona won’t go into the international break as La Liga leaders
That would be bitter rivals Real Madrid on nine points, which are also boasted by Athletic Club.
FC Barcelona is in fourth as one of three outfits on seven points alongside Villarreal and Garcia’s former club Espanyol. In front of Culers for the first time this term, at god knows which stadium, the Blaugrana returns to action on September 14 against Valencia.
