Spanish champions Barcelona lost a 1-1 draw at Rayo Vallecano in La Liga on Saturday, continuing a worrying run of disappointing performances. Surprise leaders Girona and second-place rivals Real Madrid now have the chance to extend their lead over the third-placed Catalans over the next two days. Unai Lopez gave Rayo the lead from a long distance in the first half, but Barca leveled in the 82nd minute through Florian Lejeune’s own goal.
The draw adds to the doubt surrounding Barcelona, who have not been at their best for several weeks and face Porto on Tuesday as they look to qualify for the knockout round of the Champions League.
“I think it was a game of two halves. In the first half we dominated, but we were not aggressive enough to do any damage,” Xavi told DAZN.
“In the second time we scored a goal and could have had more… we have to win these games if we want to win the league.
“We have to be self-critical. It costs us too much this season to give things away… in modern football a lot changes when they score against you.”
Inaki Pena started in goal for Barca while Marc-Andre ter Stegen dropped out with a back problem, while Xavi turned to the fit-again Frenkie de Jong to replace the injured Gavi in midfield.
The 19-year-old’s cruciate ligament tear will keep him out this season, with Barcelona losing a player described by the coach as the ‘soul’ of the team.
Barcelona players wore shirts with his name on the back and the message “we are with you, Gavi” before kick-off.
Pena spilled the ball when first called into action, but quickly recovered to clear the danger. The goalkeeper then denied Oscar Valentin after De Jong lost the ball on the edge of his own penalty area.
Hosts Rayo started well, encouraged by beating Barca in three of their four previous matches, including twice at their rickety Vallecas stadium.
They took the lead in the 39th minute when Lopez fired a brilliant effort into the bottom right corner from about 30 yards out after the ball had cleared into his path.
Rayo came close to a second in stoppage time, but Alejandro Balde was alert to cut away Jorge de Frutos’ low cross as two Rayo attackers stood ready to pounce.
Lack of intensity
Xavi said Barcelona would miss Gavi’s “intensity, heart and courage” against Francisco Rodriguez’s side and he was right, although they improved slightly after the break.
Ferran Torres may have leveled with a header early in the second half, but sent the ball too close to Rayo goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski. Xavi immediately replaced the winger, along with Oriol Romeu, after another disappointing substitution at the base of Barca’s midfield, which saw Ilkay Gundogan and Joao Felix sent off.
Pedri headed narrowly over after a cross from Robert Lewandowski and Inigo Martinez also nodded from a free kick from Gundogan as Barca looked for the equalizer.
Raphinha’s rake attempt hit the post and Rayo hacked Lewandowski’s finish attempt off the line from the rebound.
The Catalans finally leveled with eight minutes to go when Lejeune, under pressure from Lewandowski, redirected Balde’s cross into his own goal. Raphinha appealed for a penalty in stoppage time when he fell after Pacha Espino challenged him, but the referees were not required to do so.
“We didn’t play well, we weren’t at the level we could have,” De Jong told DAZN.
“We have to work on improving. The plan is good, we are confident. Everyone ran as fast as they could. I don’t think we were good in possession.”
Barcelona have now failed to beat Rayo in five games and could move six points behind Girona if their neighbors beat Athletic Bilbao in Montilivi on Monday.
Real Madrid, two points ahead of Barca, visit Cadiz on Sunday, while fourth-placed Atletico Madrid host Mallorca on Saturday.
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