Barcelona eye third straight clean sheet as tricky Rayo Vallecano stand in the way | OneFootball

Barcelona have started the new La Liga season with back-to-back victories, securing a 5-0 win over Elche and following it up with a 2-0 scoreline against Athletic Club.

The 2-0 scoreline is very flattering for the performance the Catalans put in against the Basque club, with Unai Simon enjoying an outrageous night.

Most importantly in those two games, Hansi Flick’s men managed to keep two clean sheets, which is a huge positive.

Now, Joan Garcia, fresh from winning the Zamora Trophy last season, is on course to make it three out of three in Barça’s next game.

Barcelona’s defence starts strongly

The Spain shot-stopper has been rarely troubled so far but has had to make a couple of important interventions.

One came in a one-on-one situation when Barcelona were already 3-0 up against Elche, but his save helped ensure the clean sheet.

Barcelona’s defensive performance was even more controlled against Athletic Club, with Pau Cubarsi coming into the side.

Joan Garcia has been a spectator for much of Barcelona’s La Liga campaign so far. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)

The Basque club failed to register a single shot on target during Barça’s victory, with their best opportunity coming through Oihan Sancet, who hit the post.

This means Garcia has now gone 180 league minutes without conceding but faces a tricky opponent next.

Rayo have caused Barcelona problems in recent years

Rayo Vallecano are up next and have started their campaign poorly, taking only one point from their first two matches.

However, they have proven repeatedly in recent years that they can make life difficult for Hansi Flick’s men.

Under Inigo Perez, Rayo held Barcelona to a 1-1 draw at Vallecas, while the return fixture was decided by a Ronald Araujo header in a 1-0 victory.

However, they are under a new manager, Benat San Jose, and Monday’s game will be a test of just how much better Barça’s defence has become.

Rayo Vallecano may not possess the best attacking quality in the league, but their style of play tends to make life extremely difficult for Flick and company.

Barcelona are not close to their best defence

It is also worth noting that Barcelona’s two clean sheets have come without their first-choice defence in place.

Xavi Espart has started and impressed at left-back in both Barcelona games so far. (Photo by Francisco Macia/Getty Images)

Xavi Espart has been an emergency fix at left-back and has impressed in his new role, but Barça are yet to see Joao Cancelo and Alejandro Balde start games.

Similarly, Pau Cubarsi has started just one of two games for Barça, and the Spaniard is working his way back to full fitness.

Against Rayo, Flick could make some changes, including giving Cancelo or Balde a start, and it remains to be seen how they settle in.

Making it three clean sheets out of three would be a massive achievement for Barcelona, and all eyes will be on how the defence fares.