Without flair, but with a goal from a set piece. Without sparkle, but with pragmatism (and survival). Barça had enough with a good spell of attacking intent in the first half and the saves of their goalkeeping treasure, Joan Garcia, to overcome (1-0) a Rayo Vallecano side that showed more energy than the Blaugrana. Hansi Flick's men made the most of Ronald Araujo's goal from a corner to secure the three points with nine matchdays remaining in La Liga, thus adding pressure to Real Madrid, who host Atlético de Madrid tonight (9 pm).

After Manolo González's dressing-down on Thursday, Espanyol bounced back in La Liga with a 1-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano, displaying a stark contrast to their Copa del Rey elimination against Atlético Baleares. The Blanquiazules rediscovered the intensity, energy, and courage that have characterized their performance this season and continue their European dream. A penalty from Roberto puts Manolo's team in fifth place, just four points off the Champions League spots. However, they have a game in hand over fourth-placed Atlético de Madrid.

A disastrous week for Real Madrid, who, after losing 1-0 to Liverpool at Anfield midweek in the Champions League, could only manage a 0-0 draw against Rayo Vallecano in Vallecas today. And they were lucky to get away with it. With this result, Xabi Alonso's team lets two points slip away, giving Barça the chance to close the gap to just three points if they can defeat Celta Vigo at Balaídos this Sunday before the international break. Rayo has now managed draws against Barça, Atlético Madrid, and Real Madrid this season. Madrid, who have now gone four consecutive years without a win in Vallecas, were never able to dominate a Rayo Vallecano side that was well-organized defensively and electric on the counter-attack. Ratiu caused the defense a lot of problems. meringue Down the right flank, Álvaro García had several scoring opportunities that didn't find the net due to Courtois's saves or poor finishing. Meanwhile, Mbappé and Vinícius weren't at their best, and their attacking contributions had to come from deeper positions. For example, Fede Valverde's long-range shots were thwarted by Batalla.

A league isn't won with talent alone. To end up having a great party, more is needed. And Hansi Flick knows this well, as he's been saying in recent days. In a frustrating match, Barça suffered its first setback of the season, a deserved draw, as Rayo Vallecano played a majestic game. In fact, if anyone deserved to win, it was the home team. Rayo Vallecano has a clear game plan and knew how to unnerve an opponent who never adapted to a match scenario unfit for a professional match. "We lacked intensity," said Lamine. And it was one of the reasons for the draw.

Although he was not born in the neighborhood, Isaac Isi Palazón (1994) has become one of Vallecas' idols after five and a half seasons at Rayo Vallecano, Barça's next opponent this Sunday in La Liga (9:30 p.m., DAZN). "I consider myself from Cieza, El Bierzo, and Vallecas," the Murcia native stated last March in an interview on Cadena SER. Isinho, his Instagram handle, has won the hearts of all the fans of the Madrid-based team, a neighborhood club that is very special because of "the proximity the fans have to be with the players," as the player himself describes.

Everyone looked to the sky, worried about the heat in Montilivi, and everyone stopped looking at the pitch, where the real problem lay for a Girona side that started the season in a shaky fashion, thrashed without even having time to say a word. Girona, with all their reinforcements split between the bench and the presidential box, resigned in a first half marred by the errors of goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga, who gave away a goal and was sent off for a penalty. With their pockets empty of arguments and no shots on goal, Rayo Vallecano's 0-3 victory proved short-lived. The pride of the only Girona player, Joel Roca, allowed them to close the gap (1-3), but if no important signings arrive, it will be hard to recover their joy.

La Liga kicks off this Friday with Girona-Rayo Vallecano at Montilivi (7 p.m., Movistar LaLiga). Míchel's team heads into the season with many challenges ahead and a host of enigmas to resolve, both sportingly and socially. Why haven't they invested a single euro in signings? How many players are still waiting to arrive? And what about the departures? Why hasn't the major sale they need yet taken place? Will the team be able to compete consistently, unlike last year? And is anything known about the new stadium project? These are unanswered questions with just a few hours left until the ball rolls again in official competition and the transfer window closing in just over two weeks.

Espanyol are beginning to see some silver linings on the day that is shaping up as a storm. The Blue and Whites earned a valuable victory in Vallecas (0-4), where they put together their best performance of the season and, arguably, their most inspired in years. It was a powerful blow against a Rayo Vallecano side that, despite timidly resuming its form in the second half, was clearly outclassed. A crucial victory that could have been even greater and which temporarily keeps Espanyol away from relegation.

Barça continues to lead the League despite the suspension of its Saturday's match against Osasuna. Atlético de Madrid have surprisingly lost at Getafe in a match they were winning 0-1 with 15 minutes remaining. The red card for Ángel Correa, who will not be able to play this coming weekend against Barça in La Liga, was the start of the collapse of the colchoneros, who have conceded two goals in five minutes, both from Mauro Arambarri (2-1).

Barça continues to lead the League despite the suspension of its Saturday's match against Osasuna. Real Madrid's 2-1 win over Rayo Vallecano means that both teams are now level on points, but Hansi Flick's men are ahead with a game in hand. Atlético de Madrid, who had the chance to go top on their own, lost in a shocking fashion at Getafe in a game they were winning 0-1 with 15 minutes to go. The red card for Ángel Correa, who will not be able to play this coming weekend against Barça in La Liga, was the start of the collapse of the Colchoneros, who have conceded two goals in five minutes, both from Mauro Arambarri (2-1).

In the Champions League round of 16, in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey and top of La Liga. The 1-0 win over Rayo Vallecano with a penalty goal from Robert Lewandowski puts Barça at the top of the table. Here are some quick notes.

In the last 16 of the Champions League, in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey and leaders of La Liga. The victory (1-0) against Rayo Vallecano Robert Lewandowski's penalty puts Barça at the top of the table. Here are some quick notes.

Not long ago, Barça looked up and saw Real Madrid moving away in the standings, with an eight-point cushion over Hansi Flick's men. Now the German coach looks ahead and sees no one, as all his rivals are following him in the standings. Barça, after the setbacks of Madrid and Atlético, knew that if they managed to beat Rayo Vallecano they would regain first place. And so they did, although they hit rock bottom, against a good rival like the team coached by Iñigo Pérez (1-0). A few weeks later, Barça is back in charge of La Liga, but after a lot of suffering in a game in which they lacked consistency. Champions must also know how to win when they are not having a good day, right?