Rayo Vallecano 1-1 Barcelona: Xavi’s men slump to a disappointing away draw in first clash after losing lynchpin midfielder Gavi to season-ending ACL injury

• Rayo Vallecano’s Spanish midfielder Unai Lopez scored a fantastic half-volley 
• Barcelona grabbed their equaliser as Florian Lejuene deflected into his own net
• It’s All Kicking Off: Jack Grealish has lost his zip… we need him to get it back

Barcelona dropped two more points with a disappointing draw away at Rayo Vallecano. ‘We did not play well’ said Frenkie de Jong who was back after a two-month lay-off but could not inspire the three points.

Barcelona were without the injured Marc Andre ter Stegen and making his first start this season Inaki Peña was tested with two early long shots from Izi Palazon. The first flew over but he spilled the second one and Jorge de Frutos almost turned in the rebound.

Pena did save well from Oscar Valentin after the Rayo midfielder had robbed De Jong of the ball on the edge of the area.

Barcelona forced their first effort on target with Pedri’s curling shot on 15 minutes. The emphasis is on him now more than ever with Barça missing Gavi for the rest of the season.

Lamine Yamal then danced through Rayo’s defence going past three players but his shot was weak and saved by Stole Dimitrievski. Rayo took the lead on 38 minutes and it was brilliant from the scorer Unai Lopez.

Spanish midfielder Unai Lopez scored an excellent opener on the volley for Rayo Vallecano

Barcelona’s midfielder Frenkie de Jong reflected his side ‘did not play well’ in their 1-1 draw

Inaki Pena started in goal for Barcelona in the place of the injured Marc Andre Ter Stegen

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Barcelona failed to clear a set-piece and when it came out to the midfielder he unleased a right-foot volley with the outside of his foot. It squeezed past Pena kissing the post on its way into the back of the net.

Oriol Romeu had an up and down start to the second half. First he had to rugby tackle Jorge de Frutos to prevent a counter attack and was booked. He then curled an inviting ball in to Ferran Torres who could not make the most of the header. And he was then taken off to be replaced by Ilkay Gundogan. Joao Felix also came on for Torres and Barcelona almost scored immediately but it was Robert Lewandowski crossing and Pedri heading. It was the wrong way around and Pedri failed to score.

Rayo were now sitting back too much but Barcelona were lacking in ideas. Lewandowski hit a free-kick into the wall and Inigo Martinez sent a header over but the frustration continued. Bebe, meanwhile, was on for Rayo in the hope that he could cause problems on the counter attack.

Xavi’s next change was Raphinha and he almost scored with his first shot but it came back off the post with Dimitrievski beaten.

When Barcelona did get on level terms the goal came off Rayo player. Alejandro Balde’s cross came in from the left and Lewandowski may well have headed it home but before he could make contact Florian Lejuene had stuck out a boot and sent it past his own keeper.

There was a VAR enquiry but when Martinez’ long ball over the top was played Balde had been level with the last defender.

There was a sense that it might be the launch pad for them to go on and win it but despite eight added minutes there was no second goal for Xavi’s team and Rayo made it two draws from two games against Real Madrid and Barcelona.

If Girona win their game at home to Athletic on Monday then the leaders will be six points clear of Xavi’s stuttering team.

Former Chelsea man Joao Felix made an appearance off the bench but failed to impact the game

Another former Blue Andreas Christensen could not keep out Rayo Vallecano’s attack 

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