Barcelona’s golden duo Raphinha and Lamine Yamal both netted braces within the group’s conflict towards Rayo Vallecano on Monday night time, taking the group to the highest of the desk as soon as extra with an ideal rating and a staggering twelve objectives scored in three video games.
The Brazilian promptly equalised to nullify Rayo Vallecano’s opener earlier than Lamine Yamal fired the group into the lead within the first half.
After the break, Anthony Gordon compelled an own-goal with a vicious cross that took a deflection earlier than he mixed as soon as once more with Raphinha for the group’s fourth purpose on the night time.
Someplace alongside the best way, Rayo Vallecano stole one other purpose again, however Barcelona confirmed no mercy and ultimately made it 5 objectives with Lamine Yamal netting his second purpose.
Barça Common brings you three takeaways from Barcelona 5-2 Rayo Vallecano.
Defensive frailties start to indicate
Barcelona’s first two La Liga video games noticed the group hold two clear sheets with an impeccable defensive document, and there was hope that the identical streak would proceed on the Spotify Camp Nou on match day 3.
Final night time, nevertheless, Barcelona’s defensive frailties had been partially uncovered for the primary time this season because the guests scored twice – as soon as early on to take the lead and as soon as to spark hope of a comeback within the second half.
Hansi Flick made modifications within the defensive lineup on the night time, bringing in Jules Kounde for Eric Garcia and swapping Gerard Martin for Andreas Christensen.
His choice had a direct influence on the group, as they failed to take care of the clear sheet, for Kounde seemed to be a shadow of his former self and was sluggish all through the sport. The opening purpose conceded got here off his poor positioning in an assault utterly stemming from his flank.
Past the direct error resulting in the purpose, he seemed to be a defensive legal responsibility all through the sport. His attacking contributions had been spectacular, however it’s clear why Hansi Flick prefers Eric Garcia in current instances.
The second purpose conceded on the night time got here off a set-piece the place Xavi Espart didn’t adequately mark his man, persevering with the development of the group struggling towards set-pieces in current seasons.
All in all, the group didn’t endure an excessive amount of in defence barring a small interval near the hour mark, but it surely does give Hansi Flick a motive to step again and ponder what modified in comparison with earlier video games.
Lamine Yamal is again
Whereas Raphinha and Anthony Gordon had been spectacular as soon as once more within the assault, Lamine Yamal’s return to his gala self is the larger takeaway from final night time’s conflict, particularly given how the participant was crucified by followers for being under par within the group’s opening video games.
Beginning for the group as typical, Yamal made a menace of himself on the left flank from the get-go. He appeared to lastly be having fun with his soccer once more and performed as freely as he did earlier than his damage final season.
Yamal was devastating as a artistic power on the night time, producing seven key passes, creating two massive probabilities and an xA of over 0.5.
He accomplished eight of 13 tried dribbles, had 77 touches of the ball and made eight progressive carries into the Rayo Vallecano space.
Extra importantly, he scored his first league purpose of the season with an absolute doozy of a shot, curling the ball into the highest bins of the close to nook from a decent angle.
After serving to the group equalise early on, he went on to attain his second late within the night time, as soon as once more with a exact shot positioned into the underside nook.
The younger Spaniard’s return to his greatest, for sure, comes as large information for Hansi Flick and Co. who will probably be relieved to see him having fun with his soccer as soon as extra.
The youngsters impress
It’s unbelievable how Barcelona repeatedly fielding 4 youngsters within the beginning XI has been normalised, for it’s merely not regular for gamers of that age to play week in and week out with the maturity they present.
Yamal might have stolen the present as soon as once more, however his La Masia friends had been spectacular towards Rayo Vallecano as properly. The gamers in query, for sure, are Pau Cubarsi, Marc Bernal and Xavi Espart.
Like Yamal, Cubarsi additionally seems to be accepted now as an anomaly of the game and he was sensational as soon as once more for Barcelona towards Rayo Vallecano. Past making a last-ditch block, he led the defence by instance, organised the aspect in set-pieces and took accountability within the group’s buildup.
He made ten defensive contributions on Monday night time with a blocked shot, 4 recoveries, six clearances, an interception and 5 duels gained. He additionally accomplished 81% of his 110 tried passes.
One efficiency that was extra vital than Cubarsi’s heroics, in the meantime, was that of Marc Bernal who has comparatively struggled to suit into first-team dynamics however was snug towards Rayo Vallecano.
The younger defensive midfielder took the defensive load with ease, helped within the buildup, saved possession and even bought into attacking positions repeatedly final night time.
Bernal earned the help for Lamine Yamal’s opener on paper, and given his efficiency, that was deserved. In spite of everything, he accomplished near 90% of his passes, made two key passes and even three profitable dribbles.
The third participant of the identical La Masia core who shone as soon as extra was Xavi Espart who’s now the one participant to have performed all 270 minutes beneath Hansi Flick this season.
His actions off the ball and luxury in possession, mixed together with his clever overlapping runs and inventive line-breaking passes all make him just about undroppable at this level.
