Barcelona 3-1 Rayo Vallecano: 5 Talking Points, La Liga 2018/19

Leaders Barcelona claimed a 3-1 win over the Rayo Vallecano at the Camp Nou to extend their lead at the top to 7 points.

That being said, the game was not a straightforward one for Ernesto Valverde's side. Barca began the game with key men Ousmane Dembele and Ivan Rakitic on the bench, and their absence was felt. Rayo opened the scoring when Raul de Tomas scored with a sweet strike from outside the box. The striker, on loan from Real Madrid, caused a few unsettled nerves at the Camp Nou early on.

Gerard Pique equalised in the first half when he headed in from Lionel Messi's free-kick. Barca crept in front just at the beginning of the second half. Jordi Amat caught Nelson Semedo, and Messi stepped up to give his side the lead. The game was wrapped up late on when Luis Suarez scored from Ivan Rakitic's assist to make it 3-1.

Barca regained their seven-point lead at the top after Atletico had cut it to four points before. Rayo meanwhile are in the bottom three, and relegation is a real possibility for them. Here are the major talking points from the game:

#5 Defensive Rayo fail to build on an impressive start

Rayo lined up in a 5-4-1 formation, and at times, all their players were behind the ball. Coach Michel was going for a defensive gameplan, and it seemed to be working in the opening minutes. The compact defence was organised, and the likes of Messi and Coutinho were finding it tough to create openings.

They were looking dangerous on the counter, and Raul de Tomas soon gave them the lead. The youngster scored with a clinical finish, and all of a sudden it looked as if an upset could be on the cards. But it was not to be.

Stole Dimitrievski's positioning was wrong after Messi's free-kick, and Pique headed home the equaliser. Barcelona began dominating the game, and Rayo shrunk deeper and deeper into their own half. The two goals followed, and Barca could have scored more if they had been more accurate with their final pass. A similar game took place in the reverse fixture, when Barcelona came back from behind to claim the three points.

#4 Philippe Coutinho can't get out of his slump

Coutinho did not impress much against Rayo

Big things were expected from Philippe Coutinho when he made the big-money move from Liverpool last January. His first season was satisfactory, but he has failed to pick up the baton this campaign. The Brazilian has not been able to impact games, and the same was seen against Rayo.

Coutinho started the game in attacking role as Ousmane Dembele was rested. He took just two shots and did not create a single chance. Flashes of his chemistry with Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi were seen, but he was unable to carve out anything decisive.

Valverde shifted him to a midfield spot later, as Dembele came on. But he is not suited to the role compared to the likes of Ivan Rakitic and Arturo Vidal. For the time being at least, it looks as though Coutinho will continue to be the backup for Dembele and Messi.

#3 Messi makes the difference yet again

We have seen some incredible performances from Lionel Messi this season. His game against Rayo was not eye-catching, but he was still the person who made the difference for Barcelona.

Gerard Pique headed the equaliser from his free-kick, and Messi gave his side the lead with a coolly dispatched penalty. The Argentine took 6 shots in the game, which is half of the total shots Barcelona took. He also created 3 chances, which means that he was responsible for 9 out of the 12 shots Barca took. Messi attempted 11 dribbles on the night, completing 6 of them.

He has scored 26 goals in the league this season, to go along with his 12 assists. Both of them are league-highs, and he has contributed to 38 goals by himself. To put that into perspective, only 3 La Liga sides out of the 19 left have scored more than 38 as a team. Freaky, isn't it?

#2 De Tomas impresses again for Rayo

Raul de Tomas has taken to Rayo Vallecano. He scored 24 league goals last season, which was his first at the club. His tally this season has been 11 thus far, and his goals are the main reason why Rayo still have a chance of avoiding relegation. The Spaniard has scored 38% of his side's total goals.

The 24-year-old is a Real Madrid youth product, but he has not made a single appearance for the first team. The Los Blancos are in desperate need of a goalscorer, and he fits the bill. He has played in the La Liga for the past three years and has an eye for goal.

Only 6 players have scored more goals than De Tomas in the La Liga this season, and those six does not include a single Real Madrid player. If he keeps up this form, a return to his parent club could be on the cards.

#1 Barca warm up for Lyon in perfect style

Valverde managed the game well with the Lyon clash in mind

Lyon await Barcelona on Wednesday, in what is a crucial Champions League Round of 16 tie. Both the sides played out a goalless draw in France in the first leg, and all is left to play form in the second leg. Lyon are certainly no pushovers, and Valverde rested Rakitic and Dembele against Rayo.

Despite some early struggles, Barca claimed a relatively comfortable win. Affording a breather to Rakitic was especially important, as the Croatian has been an ever-present in Valverde's lineup this season.

Lyon drew their Ligue 1 game 2-2 against Strasbourg, but they also rested some key players. The French side is a youthful one, and their pressing and intensity can cause problems for Barcelona. Judging by the Champions League upsets so far, the outcome of the tie is by no means a certainty. Winning against Rayo with relative ease was essential, and Barca achieved that.

Edited by Atharva Papnoi