FC Barcelona missed the chance to move 14 points clear at the top of LaLiga after suffering a 2-1 defeat to Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday night.
LaLiga
Result: Rayo Vallecano 2-1 FC Barcelona
Date: 26 April 2023
Venue: Estadio de Vallecas
Barcelona were without Sergio Busquets due to suspension as Pedri started in midfield alongside Frenkie de Jong and Gavi after making his return in the win over Atletico Madrid over the weekend.
Rayo looked quite lively in the early in the early stages, while the Catalan giants struggled to carve out any clear-cut chances in the opening 15 minutes of the clash.
It was the home side who got the opening goal, with Alvaro Garcia find the back of the net on 19 minutes with low fizzing strike that sailed into the bottom corner after being teed up by Sergio Camello.
The visitors looked to get themselves back on level terms and they went close four minutes later when Raphinha burst forward before teeing up Robert Lewandowski, who saw his strike turned away by goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski.
Lewandowski thought he had brought Barcelona level three minutes before the halftime break when he slotted home from Pedri's pass, but the goal was ruled for a on offside on the Polish striker.
Vallecano, however, managed to get a second goal eight minutes after the break when Fran Garcia managed to get past Ronald Araujo after De Jong's failed sliding attempt and drill a low shot beyond Ter Stegen.
While Barcelona threatened to pull one back on the hour mark, Dimitrievski had to be at his best once again, this time keep out sting low strike by Gavi from the edge of the box.
Xavi re-shuffled the pack as Jordi Alba and Ansu Fati replaced Ferran Torres and Marcos Alonso, while Pedri made way for Frank Kessie with 20 minutes left on the clock.
Barcelona did manage to pull a goal back with seven minutes left on the clock as Lewandowski ended his goal drought by volleying into the top corner after latching onto a loose ball.
Lewandowski's strike would prove to be nothing more than a consolation as the home side held on
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