Barcelona coach Xavi warned his team they’d face a tough test against Rayo ahead of the game, speaking about the hosts’ intensity and the difficulties of playing at Vallecas in his pre-match presser.
Yet the Barca players simply didn’t heed Xavi’s warning. They failed to match Rayo’s intensity, struggled to create chances and were deservedly beaten.
ufe0f Xavi analyzes the defeat at Rayo Vallecano: pic.twitter.com/BD9EmjY3qV
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) April 26, 2023
It shouldn’t have come as a surprise either. Rayo beat Barcelona home and away last season and held out for a goalless draw at the Camp Nou on the opening day of the campaign.