Rayo Vallecano boss praises Barcelona star but questions final result: ‘A draw would have been fair’ | OneFootball

Barcelona have secured another vital three points in their push towards the La Liga title. 

Against a determined Rayo Vallecano side, the Catalans were pushed to their limits and ultimately relied on fine margins to come out on top with a 1-0 scoreline.

From the away dugout, Rayo Vallecano manager Inigo Perez walked away with mixed emotions. 

While the result officially goes down as a defeat, there was a strong sense that his team had done enough to take something from the game.

“I think a draw would have been a fair result,” he said after the match. 

“We deserved a goal in the second half, but it’s true that these teams can bounce back if you score against them. Even so, we could have tied this game.”

The only goal

Rather than sitting deep and absorbing pressure, Rayo opted for a more proactive approach, something Perez believes is necessary when facing elite opposition. 

In the end, the decisive blow came from a familiar source – Barcelona’s growing efficiency from set pieces. 

Araujo scored the only goal of the match. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Perez acknowledged that this was no coincidence but rather a reflection of a clear tactical strength. 

“They scored on a set piece, and the statistics show they’re one of the best teams in Europe in that regard.”

Praise for Joan Garcia and Pedri

Furthermore, one player who proved to be an obstacle too difficult to overcome for Rayo Vallecano was Joan Garcia. 

The Barcelona shot-stopper delivered a decisive performance, repeatedly denying Rayo a way back into the match. 

Perez even admitted that his impact was impossible to ignore, saying, “It’s a shame that Joan Garcia signed with Barcelona.”

Finally, Perez singled out Pedri as a key factor in Barcelona’s control of the game. Describing his influence, the Rayo boss concluded, 

“Pedri’s vision, combined with his other qualities, creates a kind of numbing effect against a team like ours – one that doesn’t like the opponent to have the ball for long – that gradually wears you down. 

“In other situations, if you’re not fully focused, he flows and punishes you,” he concluded.

Source: Mundo Deportivo