
Rayo Vallecano vs Barcelona: Preview and Prediction
Hansi Flick’s Barcelona will be aiming for their third consecutive win of the new season when they make the trip to face Rayo Vallecano.
Rayo Vallecano will be looking to return to winning ways when they host Barcelona. While they will be hoping to cause an upset, going up against the defending champions certainly won’t be easy for them.
Rayo Vallecano kick-started the new season with an emphatic 3-1 win over Girona, but they failed to build on it against Athletic Club. Despite dominating the ball, they were not clinical enough in the final third and ended up losing 1-0.
However, having won the UEFA Europa Conference League play-off 5-0 on aggregate against Neman, Inigo Perez’s men will be confident about putting up a strong fight against the Catalan giants.
Barcelona started the season with a 3-0 win over RCD Mallorca and managed to get the better of Levante on Matchday 2. While the Blaugrana did get the desired result last time out, Flick’s team had to script an incredible second-half comeback to secure all three points.
It was a poor defensive display from them in the first half, and it could trigger a few changes at the back. Flick will certainly hope they are more compact at the back in this away fixture. The Hard Tackle takes a close look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could deploy.
Team News & Tactics
Rayo Vallecano
The home team will be without the services of Abdul Mumin and Nobel Mendy. But, they do not have any fresh injury concerns heading into this fixture.
Rayo Vallecano will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, where Augusto Batalla will take charge in goal. Andrei Ratiu and Pep Chavarria will be the full-backs, while Florian Lejeune will pair up with with Luiz Felipe in the heart of the defence.
In the centre of the park, Pathe Ciss will start alongside Unai Lopez. The duo will shield the Rayo Vallecano backline and ensure Barcelona midfielders do not dominate the ball too deep in their half.
Pedro Diaz will feature as the attacking midfielder, while Isi Palazon and Alvaro Garcia will feature on the flanks, providing much-needed width to their attacks. Meanwhile, Jorge de Frutos will lead the line for Rayo Vallecano against Barcelona.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Batalla; Ratiu, Lejeune, Felipe, Chavarria; Ciss, Lopez; Palazon, Diaz, A Garcia; De Frutos
Barcelona
Marc-Andre ter Stegen remains on the sidelines for the visitors. But, apart from the Barcelona captain, everyone else is available for selection against Rayo Vallecano. While Robert Lewandowski is back in the mix, he is unlikely to be rushed into action.
The reigning La Liga champions are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Joan Garcia retaining his place in goal. Jules Kounde is likely to get the nod over Eric Garcia at right-back, while Alejandro Balde continues on the left. At the heart of the defence, Ronald Araujo will once again partner Pau Cubarsi.
Frenkie de Jong should be back in the XI after missing the last outing. He will pair up with Pedri in the double pivot in the centre of the park. The duo will look to control the tempo of the game.
Dani Olmo could start ahead of Fermin Lopez in the number ten role. Meanwhile, Lamine Yamal and Raphinha will continue on the flanks, while Ferran Torres will spearhead the Barcelona attack against Rayo Vallecano on Sunday.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Joan Garcia; Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Balde; Pedri, de Jong; Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha; Torres
Key Stats
- Rayo Vallecano have just secured a spot in the league phase of the UEFA Europa Conference League with a 5-0 win (aggregate) over Neman. They are set to play in Europe for the second time in their history.
- Inigo Perez’s team finished eighth last season, their joint best ever in the Spanish top flight.
- Barcelona have won each of their last three outings against Rayo Vallecano.
- The corresponding game last season ended 2-1 in favour of the Catalan giants.
- Hansi Flick’s team had the best attack in the division last season, and they have already bagged six goals in their first two league outings.
Player to Watch
Ferran Torres
Despite being a rotational option for Hansi Flick last season, the 25-year-old had a lot of success. While he was on the pitch for less than 2,000 minutes in his 45 appearances, he finished with 19 goals and seven assists.
Ferran Torres has carried that form into the new season. In the absence of Robert Lewandowski, he has started both their league outings and has found the back of the net in both games. The Spaniard will be eager to add to his tally when he takes the field against Rayo Vallecano on Sunday.
Prediction
Rayo Vallecano 0-3 Barcelona
Barcelona will head into this clash with confidence with Rayo Vallecano after back-to-back league wins, but Hansi Flick will demand a much-improved defensive display following their shaky first half against Levante. With Pedri and Frenkie de Jong back in tandem, the Catalan giants should have greater control in midfield.
Rayo Vallecano, meanwhile, will look to draw confidence from their strong European showing in the Conference League qualifiers. Their compact 4-2-3-1 setup and quick transitions could trouble Barcelona if given space, but they will need to be far more clinical than they were against Athletic Club. The Hard Tackle predicts an easy 3-0 win for the away team.