Barça must suffer to return to the top (1-0)

BarcelonaNot 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?

It was not the best game for Flick's team. Neither the time of day, a Monday night, nor the coldness of a stadium devoid of any animation, beyond the chants of four tourists or four animated youngsters, helped. On the pitch, the players have to fend for themselves, without the support that other teams have from the stands that press and cheer when you feel a little lost. At Barça, in fact, you have to know how to win and play well whether there is singing or not. Whether there is encouragement or not. The key to the return has always been the game and the ball, and Flick's team came out well-energized the day that the German coach, faithful to his German punctuality, left Kounde on the bench, since the Frenchman supposedly arrived late to the technical briefing. The presence of Héctor Fort on the wing was the only novelty in a team that, little by little, is starting to be the one that Flick prefers. That is, with De Jong already ahead of Casadó, and with two good friends, Gavi and Pedri, together in the centre of the field.

Barça's starting line-up was to try to hurt Pep Chavarria from Empordà with the attacks of Lamine Yamal, who every day makes two or three moves that most footballers will never be able to make in the First Division. He takes the ball and breaks the waist of opposing defenders with surprising ease. Opponents are afraid of fouling him, they fear his magic. He hypnotises them with his talent. The young man from Mataró started the match mischievously, with Alejandro Balde accompanying him on the other side with his vertical runs. The first few minutes were a Blaugrana monologue, determined to have all the prominence and all the possession. Barça did not let Rayo speak, as experienced politicians do in electoral debates. The goal seemed to be just a matter of time, although Raphinha and Lewandowski's lack of aim on some occasions prevented the first shout of joy. In the end it would come from a mistake by Pathé Ciss, who, losing possession defending a corner, grabbed Iñigo Martínez by the waist. A clear penalty and Lewandowski would not forgive and deceived Batalla.

But after the goal, the game changed. And the Rayo that we usually see every weekend appeared. The Vallecas team is a gift for the League. Small budget and few renowned names, but a brave coach, Iñigo Pérez. A team that plays and lets play, with ambition, that had only lost two games away from home in all the games played so far. The Vallecas team, with De Frutos and Isi imperial, would end up, rightly, angry with the referee of the match, who did not whistle a penalty when Héctor Fort grabbed Nteka's shirt in a shot. Then they would not give as valid a goal by De Frutos in a dubious play. The ex-Levante player was in a legal position, but Nteka, offside, would block Iñigo Martínez. One of those actions in which when it is called against you, you tear your hair out. An interpretable action that cost Barça dearly. Fortunately, Szczęsny made a great save.

Stone, with magic

Flick finished the first half with a sour face, watching Rayo steal the ball from him insolently, without fear. The German knew that the script had to be changed to avoid causing damage. And who also seemed to understand it was Pedri, who was leaving out individual details, in his fight to control the game. De Jong, on the other hand, seemed somewhat lost. This is not a novelty. Flick, increasingly worried as he saw that the second goal was not coming, brought on Kounde and Olmo for Héctor Fort and Gavi, to gain weight. Barça could not get the ball to Raphinha and Lamine Yamal, since the Madrid team had understood that the best way to defend these players was to prevent the ball from reaching them. However, the changes made Barça grow. Olmo managed to get into the rival area and, with Kounde behind, Lamine Yamal revived a little in a scenario in which the game was breaking down.

When they needed it most, Barça knew how to recover the ball, and managed to give the impression that if a goal was to come, it would be at home and not at the visitors', although De Frutos had the chance to equalise in the 90th minute in a defensive error that was too obvious from a team that is maturing, but still makes mistakes. Barça is back in the lead, however. A short while ago it seemed impossible, but this team is making steady progress. Sometimes it enchants and other days, it does what it has to do, winning without receiving much praise. Games that decide titles, like this one, on a Monday in February.