Vallecas was the place in which FC Barcelona visited Rayo Vallecano in the Copa del Rey’s round of 16. We have the player ratings.
FC Barcelona had a complicated visit to Vallecas to face Rayo Vallecano in Copa del Rey’s round of 16. After being suspended for two matches in all competitions, Lionel Messi finally got back to activity in this match. Ronald Koeman was starting to find the ideal momentum for this squad regardless of Leo’s absence. But today, the Argentine proved he is Barcelona’s most important man.
However, they struggled during the first half and didn’t get on the scoring board until the second. Rayo Vallecano found a decent goal with less than thirty minutes left on the clock through Garcia, it was a great collective effort from Rayo. But that was all Messi needed to react with a goal and a key part in the winner. Antoine Griezmann assisted Leo after a brilliant pass from the deep by Frenkie de Jong.
De Jong seals the victory thanks to Messi.
The Dutch midfielder is already one of Barcelona’s most important players of the season. With already seven goals this season, De Jong found a whole new purpose in FC Barcelona’s tactics. Contrary to his role at AFC Ajax, he plays closer to the strikers and helps much more on the attack.
Near the end of the second half, he was the man who scored the winning goal after an assist from Jordi Alba that Messi facilitated. With this victory, Barcelona advance to the Copa del Rey quarterfinals. Next up, they have to worry about facing Athletic Club Bilbao in the Spanish La Liga this weekend.
Player ratings
Rayo Vallecano: Dimitrevski (6), Saveljich (5), Martos (5), Garcia (7), Catena (6), Hernandez (5), Comesaña (6), Montiel (5), Trejo (5), Qasmi (5), Martin (6).
Bench: Garcia (6), Cortes (6), Suarez (5).
FC Barcelona: Neto (7), Firpo (4), Araujo (7), Lenglet (6), Mingueza (6), Busquets (8), De Jong (8), Riqui (7), Messi (9), Trincao (6), Griezmann (7).
Bench: Dembele (6), Alba (8), Pedri (8).
Feel free to make your pick on player’s ratings and performances using the widget below.
Be sure not to miss out on the latest news about Copa del Rey
Download our brand new App and follow your favorite players, clubs, and much more
