By Sulaimon Jamiu
Barcelona crashed to a third consecutive home defeat for the first time since the 1998/99 season as Rayo Vallecano performed a smash and grab at the Camp Nou on Sunday night.
Alvaro Garcia’s seventh minute goal proved the difference between the sides, as Xavi Hernandez’s side suffered yet more disappointment in front of their home fans after defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt and Cadiz respectively.
The Rayo forward’s shot beat Marc Andre Ter Stegen at his near post and the out-of-sorts Barcelona failed to recover.
The Catalans couldn’t get into any kind of rhythm in attack, Gavi going closest with a snapshot that crashed off the woodwork on the stroke of half-time was the highlight of the Catalans performance.
Xavi Hernandez rang the changes in a desperate bid to find an equaliser and substitute Memphis Depay stung the gloves of Stole Dimitrievski.
Rayo Vallecano had to absorb a lot of pressure as Barcelona threw the kitchen sink at the visitors and they held on for an unforgettable victory at the home of the Spanish giants.
