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Barcelona extended their lead to 8 points in La LigaLa Liga leaders Barcelona hammered Rayo Vallecano 5-1 at the Vallecas with a hat-trick from Messi coming amidst two straight red cards for the hosts. Ivan Rakitic opened the scoring for the visitors, with Arda Turan completing the rout late on, with Suarez also missing a penalty as Barcelona created a La Liga record by going unbeaten for 35 consecutive games in all competitions.The Catalans dominated the game thoroughly, although Rayo did put in a spirited display, despite having two men sent off during the game. The scoreline was rather harsh on Rayo and did not reflect the competitive nature of the game, not the questionable refereeing calls that were made.Here are 5 major talking points from the game:
#1 Barcelona have a penalty problem
Barcelona are artisans on the pitch, and last night managed to weave their magic in front of goal, as they have been doing for the majority of the season. However, when it comes to the most obvious of football situations – a one-on-one with a goalkeeper that requires one touch (most times, anyway) to score, Barcelona fail to perform.
This oddity reminds us that the fabled MSN trio are human after all, along with their much lesser hyped team-mates. However, the irony is that Barcelona’s mediocrity from the penalty spot this season created history as well, albeit a rather unwanted record:
The Catalans have missed 9 of their 18 penalties in all competitions, with most of their stars missing penalties. Thankfully, the miss did not allow Vallecano back into the game, although it is telling that Messi refused to take the penalty despite being on a hat-trick. Perhaps it’s time for another tandem penalty, as the Catalans seem interested only when the situation gets a little more complex.
It was also rather surprising to hear that the Barca players listened to a fan campaign to get Mascherano to take a penalty and score his first goal for Barcelona, but Pique revealed that the Argentine turned down the offer of taking the penalty. Perhaps some things do scare this Barcelona side after all.
#2 Jemez\'s tactics are entertaining but fruitless
Paco Jemez was a tough tackling central defender in his playing days, and one would expect that his side would eschew their normal possession-based style of play in lieu of a rather defensive approach against the mighty Barcelona. Jemez claimed before the game that he would stick to his daring playing style, and to give credit to him, set up his team exactly like he said, but it proved to be Rayo's downfall.
The locals from the barrios of Vallecano appreciated the effort, as the Vallecas did not stop singing for the duration of the match, and only got louder when they scored their consolation goal. Jemez’s tactics of playing a high line against the speed of Messi, Suarez and Neymar on the counter was fatal, as evidenced by the fact that almost every goal bar the first came from Barcelona playing through balls at speed, with the Rayo defence scrambling to get back.
Jemez did have some joy, as the hosts looked threatening going forward, with Embarba being the stand-out attacking player for Rayo. Vallecano’s boss always plays football like a spectacle, and he ought to receive some credit that his side played their part in making the game a wonderful display of attacking football, but credit does not keep you up, points do. Rayo have a paltry 26, and are only above the drop zone due to goal difference – time to tighten up and survive.
#3 Do Barcelona even need a defence?
Here’s what Barcelona started the game in defence.
Sergi Roberto – a versatile midfielder who can play at right-back; Gerard Pique – Barcelona’s prime centre-back with a penchant for goals; Javier Mascherano – A defensive midfielder converted to a centre-back; Jerome Mathieu – A left-footed centre-back playing in the fullback role. It was all the more surprising given Aleix Vidal and Thomas Vermaelen were on the bench – two bonafide defenders.
The priority for many Barcelona fans in the summer is a defender, but with Messi, Suarez and Neymar racking up the goals, Barcelona can get away with even the most mediocre of defensive displays. While the 6 players mentioned above did make an impact going forward, they looked rather unconvincing when Rayo threatened the Barcelona goal.
Pique and Mascherano in particular, made a criminal error when they allowed Vallecano to score, as the duo allowed Manucho to drift between them and stood watching the ball as the Rayo striker scored for the hosts. Bebe and Embarba also had a lot of joy against Mathieu and Sergi Roberto on the wings, as they easily twisted and turned the ‘defenders’, but failed in their final ball.
It’s a bit churlish to criticize a side that has gone unbeaten for the last 35 games for a mediocre defensive display, but Luis Enrique’s quest for perfection will mean that he will further refine this Barcelona backline.
#4 Rayo\'s error strewn nature must be corrected
It’s something that might not be mentioned in most post-match reports, but Rayo Vallecano were the better side in the opening 20 minutes. The hosts’ bright start, however, went completely down the drain in the 21st minute as Rayo keeper, Juan Carlos, gifted the visitors their first goal with a calamitous error, dropping a regulation ball in Rakitic’s path and allowing him to score.
It’s an error that has become quite familiar to the Vallecas faithful, as evidenced by the stat that have made the most errors that have led to a goal than any other La Liga side:
What ought to infuriate the Rayo faithful are the red cards – both players sent off on the night, Diego Llorente and Manuel Iturra, had a strong case for not being sent off. However, Paco Jemez’s side are making this a habit, and quite possibly could have taken something from the game had they ended with 11 men on the pitch.
#5 Are this Barcelona crop the best team of all time?
Gabriel Milito played under Pep Guardiola for Barcelona, but the retired defender commented before the game that this Barcelona crop are ‘arguably the best of all time’. Having broken the unbeaten record of Leo Beenhakker’s 1988/89 Real Madrid side, the 2015/16 Barcelona vintage definitely have a case for being the best Spanish side of all time.
Barcelona have some way to go before being labelled the best side of all time, however, as they stare at Juventus, Nottingham Forrest and Arsenal’s records.
Luis Enrique needs to look no further than his front three if he wants to make that happen, as the trio’s contribution to Barcelona’s success cannot be understated:
The business end of the season awaits, and with Barcelona’s La Liga title contenders already having thrown in the towel, one would not bet that Barcelona will add to their impressive trophy haul under Luis Enrique this year. What will cement this crop of Barcelona players as the best of all time, however, is if they become the first side to ever defend a Champions League crown – which we’ll only know come May.
