Not many groups might put the brakes on within the opening weeks of La Liga because the crew started clicking very early on. One opponent who made them work laborious for the three factors, nonetheless, was Rayo Vallecano.
When the 2 groups met earlier this season at Estadio Vallecas, Unai Lopez handed the hosts an early lead that they preserved via the primary half.
A Pedri objective introduced Barcelona stage on the hour mark and solely a late objective from Dani Olmo on his debut sealed the deal for the Blaugrana.
Tomorrow, the identical opponents take to the sector towards Barcelona at Montjuic with three wins of their final three video games. They’re flying excessive in La Liga and are in sixth place after 23 video games with 35 factors.
Barça Common brings you three speaking factors forward of Barcelona vs Rayo Vallecano.
Rested and raring to go
The 2024-25 calendar for Barcelona has been ruthless, giving gamers little to no time between video games.
Proper from the start of the marketing campaign, the Blaugrana have been taking part in shut to 2 video games each week and it’s clear that the schedule was gruelling for gamers.
Whereas Hansi Flick’s males started the season flying, it quickly turned clear that it was the hectic schedule and the dearth of relaxation that triggered their eventual collapse in direction of the top of the 12 months and it’s no shock they returned higher after the Christmas break.
Barcelona performed their earlier recreation towards Sevilla final weekend and got here up with a 4-1 win away from residence taking part in over half an hour with a person much less.
Now, they return to the sector over seven days later in what could also be their longest interval between two video games all season.
To get per week off amid the continued hectic calendar is nothing in need of a boon and one can thus count on Barcelona to come back out all weapons blazing tomorrow with contemporary legs and a rejuvenated thoughts.
The optimistic dilemma
Hansi Flick has had a couple of choice dilemmas to take care of in current weeks, particularly with the likes of Inigo Martinez and Dani Olmo struggling delicate accidents.
The previous is again match and will effectively return to the beginning lineup tomorrow towards Rayo Vallecano alongside Pau Cubarsi.But, the attacking midfield dilemma stays a puzzle to unravel for the supervisor, albeit a great drawback to have.
Because the begin of 2025, Gavi has had the higher hand over Olmo within the No. 10 position however the teen was removed from his finest towards Sevilla and was hooked off for Fermin Lopez after the break.
Lopez made an on the spot impression and confirmed why he’s a powerful contender to start out, however was quickly despatched off and is thus .
Olmo, in the meantime, got here on within the seventieth minute of Barcelona’s final recreation and made a stable impression off the bench and even had an element to play in Eric Garcia’s fourth objective.
Tomorrow evening, it thus stays to be seen if Flick prefers deploying Olmo or Gavi. Provided that Rayo Vallecano are usually not a aspect to take a seat deep and defend, he might desire Gavi for his defensive contributions over Olmo who is important for closed defences.
An opportunity to return to the highest
The La Liga title race this season has been one of the vital thrilling races to comply with in Europe with Barcelona, Actual Madrid, and Atletico Madrid all preventing neck-to-neck.
The Catalans started the season sturdy and appeared to be the undisputed favorites, however their year-end hunch coincided with Actual Madrid who went on a profitable spree and solidified themselves because the leaders on the desk.
Whereas Los Blancos went as excessive as ten factors forward of Barcelona, Atletico Madrid additionally rose quickly and adopted Actual Madrid carefully, and it appeared Hansi Flick’s males had misplaced the plot.
The previous month, nonetheless, has seen the Catalans slowly shut the hole on their rivals and tomorrow evening they’ve an opportunity to retake the lead on the desk.
Matchday 24 of La Liga, in spite of everything, has been extremely thrilling and controversial with Actual Madrid drawing towards Osasuna after having Jude Bellingham despatched off and Atletico Madrid drawing towards Celta Vigo after having Pablo Barrios despatched off.
Actual Madrid presently sit on 51 factors with Los Rojiblancos at 50 and Barcelona at 48. A win tomorrow will thus Barcelona away from Actual Madrid on objective distinction and into the highest spot, marking the most recent twist within the title race.