Friday, May 18th, 2012
Barcelona bounced back from their defeat against Getafe to record a comfortable 4-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano, with Alexis Sánchez tormentor in chief of the side spending its first year back in the top flight. The game also saw Barcelona achieve a record 11 consecutive clean sheets at the Camp Nou.
Rayo started very brightly and their approach mirrored the one which has been so successful this season, and especially so at home. Javi Fuego’s long-range drive was speculative but he made the intentions of his team clear. Andrés Iniesta had an audacious effort of his own, spotting David Cobeño off his line but the Rayo goalkeeper just managed to deal with it in time.
The game then settled into a familiar Camp Nou pattern with the hosts dominating, and their possession soon turned to goals. Xavi played in a ball to Sánchez and the Chilean dug the ball out of his feet to lift a sweet strike into the far corner of the net to put Barcelona at ease.
A second was soon to come, as Lionel Messi got on the ball for the first time with purpose and slipped in Xavi who managed to inadvertently flick the ball into Sánchez’s path and he stroked home to make it a brace. Pep Guardiola’s side were looking extremely comfortable.
A third was then to come moments later, with Gerard Piqué making a strong run before laying the ball to Dani Alves who was making a dangerous run, the Brazilian found David Villa and the under fire striker finished from close range.
The second half started in emphatic fashions as Messi made a strong dart down the right hand side before eagerly cutting inside before bearing down on goal and slotting past Cobeño. It was a wonderful move, trademark Messi you could say.
Raul Tamudo came on as a substitute in the second half, and made his presence felt with a volley that narrowly went wide. David Villa had a few decent moments in the closing stages too, nearly chipping Cobeño and causing Rayo some trouble in the penalty area with his running.
Late in the game the issue of forcing yellow cards reared its ugly head too, as Piqué was yellow carded for wasting time. This was his fifth of course, meaning he’d miss the game this upcoming weekend but be clean for El Clásico.
Overall was the ideal performance that Barcelona needed following the weekend result, and this victory means they cut the gap to three points between them and Real Madrid. José Mourinho’s side however do have a game in hand, but right now Guardiola and Barcelona will just be pleased to be back into the groove.
FT: Barcelona 4 (Sánchez 29, 41, Villa 43, Messi 50) – Rayo Vallecano 0
Tags: Alexis Sanchez, Barcelona, La Liga, Rayo Vallecano
