FC Barcelona vs Rayo Vallecano: Pure football (3-1)

Barcelona (FCB).- Barça chalked up another win at the Camp Nou on Sunday evening, beating Rayo Vallecano 3-l.  Barça made a number of changes form the game against AC Milan and Rayo showed they were prepared to go toe to toe with Jordi Roura’s side, who were again grateful for the Messi- Villa combination upfront which produced Barça’s three goals.

Frantic start

The game got off to a frantic start, which suited Rayo more than Barça and after just 45 seconds Trashorras had a good chance. Rayo continued to play at a high pace and pressure high up the pitch, but that was leaving space for FC Barcelona, with Messi failing to put away a chance created by Cesc Fàbregas on 5 minutes and then rattling the woodwork from a free kick two minutes later. Rayo were proving a tough opponent though as the visitors didn’t shirk from playing positive football.

 
Villa-Messi combination

With Iniesta sparkling and Alves on for the injured Adriano, Barça tipped the game their way on 25 minutes, when a lovely bit of play between Villa and Messi saw the Spanish striker finish off the move with a crisp strike past the keeper. Rayo didn’t let that goal change their plans though and they continued to look to create chances, but that gave Barça the chance to strike from deep and Messi took advantage of the space behind the defence on a couple of occasions, with the second on 39 minutes, finishing in the second goal, as Villa this time turned provider.

One more superb goal

With the rain coming down at the start of the second half, Alves hit the post, as Rayo continued to play a high line at the back, which set up a really open game and Alexis somehow shot wide on 54 minutes. Chori Domínguez, then hit the side netting from a corner, but Messi didn’t make any mistake with his chance a few minutes later, when Villa put him through on the break and the Argentinean outran his marker and rounded the keeper to finish beautifully to finish off another superb goal.

End to end stuff

At three up, Roura brought Iniesta and with Puyol, Xavi and Valdés also absent, Messi put on the captain’s armband and continued to work well with Villa. Tamudo then came on and almost immediately gave Rayo a boost, poking home a cross from the right to give the visitors a glimpse of hope. It was end to end stuff for a while and Roura then brought on Song to calm things down. The chances still came thick and fast though, but there were no more goals and Barça finished 13 points in front again at the top of the Spanish League’s table.