News
JUE 03.03.2016
High back line
Paco Jemez, as is customary when playing against FC Barcelona, opted to play a high defensive line to try and press high up the pitch and prevent the Catalan side from passing the ball out, forcing them to play their football with less space. The tactic worked well for the first 20 minutes.
Barça play the passing game
Barcelona’s style of play created real problems at the back for Rayo Vallecano. Ivan Rakitic scored the first of the evening off a Sergi Roberto cross which Juan Carlos failed to gather, allowing the Croat to open the scoring. Just one minute later, some lovely link-up play between Lionel Messi and Neymar ended with the Argentine netting from inside the box to make it 2-0.
Manucho and Rayo’s reaction
Reduced to 10 men and three goals down, Rayo did not lose hope and threw men forward in search of a consolation. The Madrilenians tried to penetrate down the flanks and managed to make the most of their clearest opportunity. Adri Embarba received the ball on the right flank, played in a cross to the far post where no-one kept tabs on Manucho, leaving the Angolan to fire into an empty net and give the home fans something to cheer about.
And then there were nine
The home side did their best to instil some anxiety in Luis Enrique’s men by pushing hard for another quick goal. However, the initiative was totally destroyed by a penalty which saw Manuel Iturra shown a straight red for bringing down Busquets. Then it was Juan Carlos Martin’s time to shine, who saved Luis Suarez’s penalty kick.
Messi’s magic
With just nine players left on the pitch, Jemez’s troops were powerless to get into Claudio Bravo’s area. Barça’s domination in the opposing half increased and Leo Messi popped up to add another hat-trick to his collection with a wonderful run with the ball before producing the perfect finish to beat Juan Carlos. There was even time enough for Arda Turan to wrap up the drubbing inflicted by Barcelona, with the league leaders showing no signs of relenting.
© LALIGA - 2016