Rayo Vallecano 2-1 Barcelona: Xavi’s league leaders are Stunned on the highway

Madrid minnows Rayo Vallecano humbled Barcelona with a 2-1 gain that pushes Barcelona’s title celebrations again a few extra months.

They keep 11 factors clear of True Madrid with seven games remaining but they have been second very best to just one of LaLiga’s poorest, but very best managed, teams.

It was a tale of two Garcias and a tale of two coaches. The Garcias, Fran and Alvaro got the targets in one more stunning exhibit of punchy good front-foot soccer from Rayo.

Their coach Andoni Iraola received the tactical struggle palms down from Xavi. He experienced picked up a issue before in the year with a – attract and this was a further masterclass.

Minimal marvel that Leeds preferred Iraola to just take in excess of mid-time. He did not want to depart little Rayo in the middle of the campaign and he could nevertheless manual them to a European area in what will be his goodbye period. He is heading for Villarreal in the summer months and Rayo could collapse without him in particular if wonder wingers Alvaro Garcia and Isi Palazon leave with him.

For Xavi it was a miserable night time. 

He was teased for complaining about having to engage in in the sunshine and the grass currently being far too extensive and also dry in Barcelona’s previous absent match 10 days back.

The sun had extensive gone in and the pitch was perfectly watered this time but it made small difference. 

Barcelona are nevertheless on their way to the title but they are performing so with a poor run of type not befitting champions. 

In their 11 video games due to the fact getting rid of in Europe to Manchester United, Barcelona have only scored 11 ambitions and 4 of people had been in opposition to bottom club Elche.

Rayo took the direct by Alvaro Garcia on 19 minutes. 

The winger took a pass from Sergio Camello and arrowed the ball back again across and previous Marc Andre ter Stegen – it was only the 10th purpose he experienced conceded all year.

The help company Camello experienced missed the chance to score in advance of he laid on Alvaro’s objective. Ter Stegen this time arrived out to block the chance.

With Alvaro a menace down the remaining Isi Palazon was just as lively down the suitable drawing fouls from Gavi and Balde who both of those picked up yellow playing cards.

There was little in the way of response from Barcelona with Robert Lewandowski owning their best likelihood. Stole Dimitrievski saved properly with his deal with to deny the Polish forward.

Xavi was left fuming on the touchline through the initial fifty percent and he was just as angry 10 minutes into the second fifty percent when Barcelona were being 2- down. This time it was the other Garcia. 

Fran Garcia is on his way to Serious Madrid this summer time and he will be welcomed with open arms even extra so now immediately after this purpose.

Frenkie de Jong was dispossessed by the flying complete-back who then accelerated into house and shot earlier Ter Stegen. Now it was 11 goals he had conceded.

There was again tiny response from Barcelona right up until Xavi threw on Pablo Torre and Franck Kessie. 

They blended nicely and when the latter’s shot was blocked Lewandowski hammered in his 18th objective of the season from the loose ball – it was only his fifth considering the fact that the convert of the 12 months.

It was no far more than a consolation even though as Rayo held on to document a popular acquire more than Xavi’s stumbling Champions elect.