Barcelona’s clinical finishing brings them their eighth victory in nine league games. The goals came from David Villa, Messi (two), Cesc Fàbregas and Xavi.
This courageous Rayo side continue to stick to their guns, and their philosophy, one that Paco Jémez has said they will not compromise. They were never going to go out and sit back like Celtic in mid-week, the proof being the watered pitch – fight fire with fire and play Barcelona at their own game, fighting for the ball and trying to exert their control over the game. Sure, in the end they were given a bit of a hiding by the side from Catalonia, but they can still hold their heads high. At the start they looked to take advantage of a sluggish Barcelona as they tried to press and spray the ball around quickly, but Barcelona’s nerves settled as they took the lead with a clinical move and the game was put beyond reach as Rayo went looking for the comeback, Jémez making certain offensive changes that left them wide open at the back.
Barcelona gradually imposed their authority and attacked at times efficiently and effectively. They are still smarting from losing the league last year and look ready to fight for every last drop of blood, every last point. No slip-ups, and no FIFA viruses, along with an immaculate record away from the Camp Nou: five games, five wins and 19 goals scored; 25 points from nine games – sprinting, not strolling. As they lick their wounds they must regain their lost crown.
Barcelona’s superiority was far from clear-cut when they took the lead as they looked vulnerable and nervous at the back with Rayo’s high pressing game. But once the scoreline went to 0-2 their silky attacking play showed no mercy and the game started to slip firmly away from the home side. Barcelona finished the game with another clean sheet, the third this campaign and the first away from home.
Valdés had to be on his toes to deny Javi Fuego, and yet another partnership in central defence, this time Adriano-Busquets, left unscathed. Although they were also without Iniesta and Lexis, Cesc was on song and capped off another impressive performance with a goal and two assists – he now has the most assists in La Liga and his defence-splitting pass to set up David Villa – whose finish was clinical – for the first goal was out of the top drawer.
Xavi also got his name on the score sheet as he slid the ball into the bottom corner from Alba’s cross, and Messi bagged his umpteenth brace – one record after the other. That said, the game was about much more than the goalscorers: Pedro worked his socks off and was decisive on the right wing as he whipped in numerous dangerous crosses, while Alba is also well on his way to reaching the dizzy heights of last season. This time around Barcelona shook off the topsy-turvy events of recent matches in an attempt to return calm to the camp as they await the return of Puyol and Piqué and leave other players with some breathing space. They continue on the path to redemption, and another victory and clean sheet won’t do their cause any harm at all.
Barcelona swat Rayo aside in Vallecas
