Barcelona Triumphs Amid Controversy Against Rayo, Secures Top Spot

Barcelona completed their task against Rayo at home and now leads the standings. Hansi Flick's team won 1-0 in a match where they did not show their best form. They secured the three points amid controversy after a disallowed goal for the visitors in the first half, as Lewandowski's penalty goal resolved the situation, leaving the Catalans at the top with a clear week ahead.

Victory was imperative, and this urgency was evident in the Barcelona players' performance. The team appeared tense, under extra pressure. Despite this, Flick fielded a lineup with minimal changes, with only Koundé missing due to tardiness. Once again, Frenkie de Jong started over Marc Casadó, providing more assurance in breaking lines, a factor that weighs heavily for the coach, who has sidelined the youth player in four of the last five matches.

Flick's strategy did not differ from previous games this year. Barcelona pressed high against a Rayo team that showed no fear of their opponents. Iñigo Pérez's side accepted the challenge, pushing their defense forward to play in a compact space filled with traps.

Pedri, De Jong, and company found no easy control, and there was no space ahead for Lamine Yamal and Raphinha. Despite this, the Catalans knew that any precise ball behind the visitors' defense was a half-chance, a treat Lewandowski awaited eagerly.

The first chances came to Raphinha, who had two clear opportunities thwarted by Batalla. This marked the beginning of a siege that eventually bore fruit thanks to VAR, following a corner that hovered over the area and ended with Iñigo Martínez clearly brought down by Pathé Ciss. The defender's gift was seized by Lewandowski from the penalty spot to break the deadlock and ignite hostilities.

Rayo has a special spark this year. It did not matter that Barcelona prepared for a siege or that Lamine Yamal finally had the chance to face his opponents. The Madrid team insisted on playing the ball and gave their rivals two scares before the break, with a shot from Nteka miraculously saved by Szczesny and a controversially disallowed goal for De Frutos due to Nteka's offside position, which may have obstructed Iñigo Martínez.

After the restart, Rayo remained eager, showing personality and at times forcing Barcelona to retreat and rely on Pedri. The Canary Islander is the metronome of the Catalans. He sets the pace, and under his guidance, the team changed rhythm and managed to subdue a rival that threatened to challenge the hosts again. Despite this, Flick decided it was time for fresh legs, introducing Koundé and Dani Olmo, aiming to curb Álvaro García's advances with the former and gain a player between lines with the latter.

Dani Olmo entered and soon made an impact. He found his space between Pathé Ciss and the central defenders, starting a display of control that amazed the Lluis Companys crowd, who had been waiting over an hour for the best from Raphinha, Lamine Yamal, and Lewandowski. None of the three had their day, and Barcelona reached the final stretch with the uncertainty dictated by the scoreline. Olmo and Raphinha had chances one-on-one with Batalla, but on both occasions, the Argentine goalkeeper was very sharp, preventing Barcelona from securing a more comfortable victory.