Three takeaways from Barcelona 1-0 Rayo Vallecano | OneFootball

Refereeing inconsistencies have been the talking point across Spain over the past week, especially after Real Madrid’s outburst against match officials.

In Barcelona’s game against Rayo Vallecano at Montjuic last night, however, it is safe to say that the referee got his calls spot on.

For starters, the Catalans took the lead on the night after the right intervention by VAR to award Barcelona a penalty for a foul on Inigo Martinez – which would prove enough to secure a victory.

There is some noise being made about the visitors’ equaliser that was ruled out, but a closer view at the replay clearly shows that Martinez was being blocked by a player in an offside position.

The three points against Inigo Perez’s side come as a valuable addition to Barcelona’s tally and take them to 51 points in La Liga and into the top spot in the standings.

Barça Universal brings you three takeaways for Hansi Flick from Barcelona 1-0 Rayo Vallecano.

A hard-fought win

Hansi Flick’s Barcelona has spoilt fans to the extent that every game is automatically linked to a massive score margin.

With the team freely scoring goals in the final third, the Catalans have carved up a reputation for themselves as attacking monsters and have made it a norm to put four to five goals past the opponents week in and week out.

Last night’s win over Rayo Vallecano, however, was far more difficult and hard-fought in what is a rarity with this Barcelona team.

As they did earlier this season at Vallecas, Inigo Perez’s men tormented Barcelona throughout the ninety minutes with flashes of brilliance and reasonable control of the game.

At no point in the match did Rayo Vallecano look subdued in any way as they regularly pushed forward to threaten Barcelona’s goal. In that sense, it was one of the Catalans’ more difficult outings of the season.

With all three forwards looking relatively off-colour, the Blaugrana had it difficult to build any solid advantage and only a penalty from Robert Lewandowski secured the three points.

Needless to say, such hard-fought wins are as crucial as dominating performances for a team vying to win the championship.

Pedri is extraterrestrial

Running the show. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, Gavi and Lamine Yamal were all far from their best last night and a big part of the reason why the team did not extend their lead beyond one.

There were, however, notable performances from individuals including Alejandro Balde, Wojciech Szczesny, Frenkie de Jong and Inigo Martinez. The display from one man, however, stole the limelight once more – Pedri.

It has always been an open secret that fitness is all that stands between Pedri and greatness, but not many saw him growing so much, so fast.

The youngster has been sensational this season, not only on a physical fitness level but in terms of the consistent magic he produces on the field and last night was no different.

Pedri was named the man of the match for his performance last night and he was simply stunning in the midfield, controlling the tempo of the game and never looking under pressure.

Despite Rayo Vallecano’s intense pressing in midfield, Pedri was unfazed and completed 90% of his passes. He has 84 touches on the night and racked up two key passes, creating one big chance in the process.

Playing as a deep midfielder, he not only excelled as part of the pivot but also pushed forward in attack and constantly probed for defence-splitting passes, something he even pulled off on several occasions.

At this point, it is safe to say that he is one of Flick’s most trusted assets on the field and Barcelona’s most consistent player.

Back on top

Matchday 24 of La Liga was truly eventful and the standings in the league have seen the tables completely turn in a matter of days.

Barcelona began the matchday in third place, two points behind Real Madrid and one behind Atletico Madrid.

As it turned out, however, Los Blancos dropped two points against Osasuna at El Sadar after they had Jude Bellingham sent off while Atletico Madrid also went a man down and dropped two points against Celta Vigo.

Barcelona’s win last night, thus, is worth its weight in gold as it sees the Catalans do enough to capitalise on both Madrid clubs’ errors.

After the 24th round of fixtures, Hansi Flick’s men have now returned to the top of La Liga with 51 points, same as Real Madrid. With a superior goal difference and head-to-head record, however, they sit ahead of Los Blancos.

Moreover, they now have a one-point lead over Diego Simeone’s side who they face three times over the next 45 days and a six-point lead over Athletic Club who also dropped points against Espanyol.

Barcelona are thus well and truly back ahead in the race and now have the title in their hands. It will all boil down to which team can maintain a winning streak from here on.