Rayo Vallecano vs FC Barcelona: Three points to take over the lead in LaLiga

FC Barcelona has started LaLiga with two victories and with very good feelings regarding the game. Hansi Flick has brought new and fresh ideas that have convinced the players and the team is measuring up both in attack and defense. For now, Valencia and Athletic Club have succumbed to the Barcelona fans in the first two days and now it could be Rayo Vallecano's turn, which welcomes the culés to their field this Tuesday the 27th at 9:30 p.m.

After the victories against the Valencians and the Basques, Barça arrives at this interweekly duel extra motivated and with a lot of confidence in its possibilities. The high pressure is working, in defense they are not conceding too many scoring opportunities, they are dominating with the ball and the offensive transitions are increasingly faster and more effective, just the way the German coach likes. The Blaugrana are changing their way of playing and, for the moment, they are doing wonderfully.

However, it remains to be seen if Flick's team can play the same way in Vallecas, a very small stadium that usually makes life difficult for rivals. Barcelona will have to be very precise to play as they have been playing until now, since by going up so quickly that extra precision will be necessary. The positive is that high pressure could have even more effect if done right, since there is less ground to cover.

Flick plans few changes to Barça's XI

As for the XI that the German coach will take out in Madrid, no major changes or massive rotations are expected, despite having only three days of rest. In defense there is only one doubt, which is whether he will rest Cubarsí or Iñigo Martínez to bring on Eric García in the center. However, Martorell's man has one foot outside of Barça right now and that is why it is possible that the coach does not want to risk giving him responsibility from the beginning.

In midfield, it is highly likely that Fermín López, who made his debut this season against Athletic coming off the bench, will start. Furthermore, it is possible that Marc Bernal will also rest after starting the first two days, with Casadó coming in for him, who was surprisingly a substitute this past Saturday. Pedri, barring a surprise, will repeat in the eleven for the second consecutive match to continue gaining physical strength and can soon recover his best version.

Finally, up front there will probably only be one change, which will simply be to move Raphinha to the left wing for Ferran Torres. The Brazilian has played the first two league games as a 'false' interior or midfielder, but Fermín's return from vacation will force Flick to do without him or Ferran, with the Valencian having the chance to lose, who has given less to the team in the two matches that go into competition. Lamine Yamal and Lewandowksi will continue to score the goals and decide the duels.

Dani Olmo, the great unknown of FC Barcelona

Therefore, it does not seem that there are going to be any big surprises at Barcelona, ​​beyond knowing what happens with Dani Olmo. The one from Terrassa has not yet been able to be registered and did not play against Athletic, so he still has not made his debut. The normal thing would be to think that they will be able to register him in time to play against the Vallecanos, but at this point nothing can be taken for granted. If it is achieved, it is most likely that he will start on the bench, although he is fit and it cannot be 100% ruled out that Hansi makes the surprise of the XI with him.

Beyond the Olmo unknown, we must remember that Andreas Christensen is injured and might not play again until October. The Dane's is added to the already known losses of Gavi, Ansu Fati, Frenkie de Jong and Ronald Araújo. Of all of them, the only one who seems like he could return in the coming weeks is the Spanish-Guinean forward. The Dutchman also seems to be feeling better and is in the final stretch of his recovery, but his ankle is a concern and there is no set deadline.

Vallecas, a 'cursed' stadium for Barça since 2018

Whoever plays, FC Barcelona will have to go out to Vallecas to play with 100% motivation and concentration, since in recent years, Rayo at home is a rival that usually costs the culés a lot. In fact, the Blaugrana have not won there since the 2018/2019 season, when they won on November 3, 2018 by 2-3. In 19/20 and 20/21, the Vallecanos were in the Second Division, but after their promotion in 2021, the Catalans have not managed to get the three points in any of their three visits. In 21/22, those from the red stripe won 1-0, in 22/23 they won 2-1 and last season the result was 1-1.

Furthermore, it must be taken into account that Iñigo Pérez's men also arrive in shape after a very promising start to the League. In their debut in San Sebastián, the red and white team beat Real Sociedad 1-2, causing a surprise. On the second day, against Getafe, they did not manage to get the three points, but they did score (0-0) to remain undefeated. Those from Madrid want to continue this streak against a Barça that is more than warned of the danger of its rival and that is going to have to give its best version to win again in Vallecas six years later.

Technical details of the match: Rayo Vallecano vs FC Barcelona

• Match: Rayo Vallecano vs FC Barcelona
• Competition: LaLiga EA Sports 2024/25
• Stadium: Estadio de Vallecas
• Television: Tuesday, August 27, 2024 at 9:30 p.m. (9:30 a.m. CEST)

Probable lineups for Rayo Vallecano-FC Barcelona for LaLiga EA SPORTS 2024/2025

• XI of Rayo Vallecano: Cárdenas; Pacha Espino, Lejeune, Moomin, Balliu; Unai López, Óscar Valentín, Izi Palazón, Álvaro García; Embarba and Sergio Camello.
• FC Barcelona XI: Ter Stegen, Koundé, Pau Cubarsí, Iñigo Martínez, Balde; Casadó, Fermín, Pedri; Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and Lewandowski