Collapsed at Rayo, Barcelona Swallows Third Defeat

– Barcelona suffered a third defeat in the Spanish League this season after falling, 1-2, at home to Rayo Vallecano, Vallecas Stadium, Thursday (27/4/2023) early morning WIB.

This was Xavi Hernandez’s men’s third defeat this season after against Real Madrid (1-3) October 2022 and Almeria (0-1) at the end of February 2023.

This defeat made Barcelona fail to widen the gap to 14 points with arch rival Real Madrid.

Rayo reap maximum points thanks to goals from two Garcia, Alvaro and Francisco. Meanwhile, Barcelona was only able to score one goal scored by Robert Lewandowski.

As a result of this third loss, Blaugrana also failed to fulfill the ambition to be ahead by 14 points with the second-placed occupants of the Spanish League standings, Real Madrid. Barcelona is still on top with 76 points while Real Madrid has 65.

As for Rayo, this 11th victory brought Andoni Iraola’s team to sit in ninth place with 43 points. The team from Madrid is two points ahead of the occupants of 10th place, Girona.

The result at the Vallecas Stadium complemented the fall of the top two teams in the Spanish League standings in a midweek match after the day before, Real Madrid also surprisingly lost 2-4 at Girona.

Barcelona coach, Xavi Hernandez, carried out a 4-3-3 formation by placing Ferran Torres, Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha in the front row. They are supported by midfielders Gavi, Frenkie De Jong and Pedri.

Marcos Alonso and Ronald Araujo guarded the heart of the defense as a duet accompanied by Alejandro Balde on the left and Jules Kounde on the right. The goalkeeper position remains entrusted to Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

On the host side, Andoni Iraola installed a 4-4-2 formation. Stole Dimitrievski stood under the crossbar escorted by four defenders Ivan Balliu, Florian Lejeune, Alejandro Catena and Francisco Garcia.

Fill Palazon served as winger on the right while Alvaro Garcia on the left. Meanwhile, Unai Lopez and Óscar Valentín became the motors in the midfield line. The duet of Oscar Trejo and Sergio Camello became a mainstay in the attack line.

Barcelona was only able to score a goal seven minutes before the end of normal time through Lewandowski. The former Bayern Munich player managed to take advantage of a gag ball from Franck Kessie’s kick which was blocked by Florian Lejeune. The rebounded ball was then greeted by Lewandowski with a left foot shot and beat the goalkeeper.

However, the remaining time available was not enough for Barcelona to score additional goals. The Blaugrana have lost for the third time in the Spanish League this season.

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