Barcelona host Rayo Vallecano in LaLiga on Monday
Can anyone stop Barcelona?
Both Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres departed Barcelona this summer, with Hansi Flick signing Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi to bolster his attack.
Those two signings got off to an excellent start against Elche. Gordon grabbed two assists from the bench, while the German international opened his Barcelona account in the same game.
Neither scored during the 2-0 win over Athletic Club on Thursday evening, but it appears as though Flick’s attacking department has undergone an improvement in personnel.
Seven goals scored, none conceded and six points from six. Barcelona have begun the domestic campaign like a freight train and it is hard to see any club stopping them.
Against Athletic Club, the Blaugrana might have only scored twice, but they did manage 22 shots and created four big chances.
Maintain this sort of form and Barcelona could shatter their record of 95 goals and 94 points from last season, without a shadow of a doubt.
Rayo Vallecano eyeing another top-half finish
Last season was arguably one of the finest in Rayo Vallecano’s history. Not only did the club secure a second consecutive eighth-place finish in LaLiga, but Rayo reached their first-ever European final.
That Conference League final was lost to Crystal Palace, yet ambitions were high that another top-half finish could be secured this season, despite Iñigo Pérez stepping down at the end of last season.
His replacement, Beñat San José, has yet to lead Rayo to victory this season. An opening day defeat against Sevilla was followed by a 1-1 stalemate with Alavés.
Nobel Mendy and Pep Chavarria were both sold during the summer, but Rayo have a strong enough squad to overachieve in LaLiga once again this season.
Los Franjirrojos have drawn two and won one of their last seven games against Barcelona, conceding just three goals across their previous three meetings with the champions.
Team news
Flick will be missing Frenkie de Jong, Gavi and Roony Bardghji due to injury for this clash on Monday evening.
It remains to be seen whether he makes any changes to the starting XI that defeated Athletic Club last time out.
Augusto Batalla, Isi Palazón and Luiz Felipe won’t be available for Rayo because of injury.
Prediction
Barcelona have been unstoppable in LaLiga so far and Flick will be looking for his side to continue this rich vein of form in front of goal against Rayo.
His team scored just twice against Rayo last season, however, and Beñat San José will want his men to be just as difficult to break down on Monday evening.
The Catalan side didn’t really have to get out of second gear against Athletic Club and there was clearly plenty more in the tank.
As such, expect a comfortable win for the home side: Barcelona 3-0 Rayo Vallecano.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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