Rayo Vallecano unfazed by Barcelona’s recent form – ‘Their seven goals don’t scare me’ | OneFootball

FC Barcelona are heading into a decisive stretch of the season, fighting for both La Liga and the UEFA Champions League. They currently sit top of the league table, four points clear of Real Madrid with ten matches remaining.

Their next challenge comes this Sunday at the Spotify Camp Nou against Rayo Vallecano. The Spanish capital side arrive in high spirits after making history by reaching the quarterfinals of the UEFA Europa Conference League.

Isi Palazon ready for a fight

That confidence is reflected in the words of their key attacking midfielder, Isi Palazon. Speaking in a recent interview, he made it clear that Barcelona’s recent form doesn’t intimidate them – quite the opposite.

“Barça’s seven goals don’t scare me, it motivates us even more,” he asserted.

“Barça is a top team in the world, but we compete against them every year and we’ll do it again on Sunday,” he predicted.

Palazon also pushed back against the idea that Rayo’s season is a “miracle.” While outsiders may see it that way, inside the dressing room, the feeling is different.

“From the outside, it might seem like a miracle, but internally we see it differently: this group has been here for a long time, and we deserved to take a step forward, to believe in ourselves,” he said.

“Important, high-quality players like Jorge de Frutos and Ratiu have joined. I hope it lasts a long time because that means Rayo is growing,” he added. 

Individually, Palazon is enjoying a strong campaign, with five goals and six assists so far. But the focus is on the collective, with Rayo having already managed to hold Barcelona to a 1-1 draw earlier this season.

“We’re making waves in La Liga. We’re going to Barcelona on Sunday, and whoever plays there will be competitive,” he concluded.

Source: Mundo Deportivo