Spanish champions Barcelona slipped up in a 1-1 draw at Rayo Vallecano on Saturday in La Liga, persevering with a worrying run of underwhelming performances. Surprise leaders Girona and rivals Real Madrid in second now have the prospect to increase their lead on the third-place Catalans over the subsequent two days. Unai Lopez drove Rayo forward from lengthy vary within the first half however Barca levelled by means of Florian Lejeune’s personal purpose within the 82nd minute.

The draw provides to the doubts round Barcelona, who haven’t been at their finest for a number of weeks and face Porto on Tuesday in search of Champions League knock-out spherical qualification.

“I think it was a game of two halves, in the first we dominated but we weren’t aggressive enough to cause damage,” Xavi informed DAZN.

“In the second we were, we scored a goal and could have had others … we need to win these games if we want to win the league.

“We must be self-critical, it is costing us an excessive amount of this season giving issues away … in fashionable soccer lots adjustments once they rating towards you.”

Inaki Pena started in goal for Barca with Marc-Andre ter Stegen out with a back problem, while Xavi turned to the fit-again Frenkie de Jong to replace the injured Gavi in midfield.

The 19-year-old’s cruciate ligament tear will keep him out for the season, with Barcelona losing a player the coach has described as the “soul” of the team.

Barcelona players wore shirts before kick off with his name on the back, and a message saying “we’re with you, Gavi”.

Pena spilled the ball the first time he was called into action but recovered quickly to clear up the danger. The goalkeeper then denied Oscar Valentin after De Jong lost the ball on the edge of his own box.

Hosts Rayo started well, encouraged by having beaten Barca on three of their four previous clashes, including twice at their ramshackle Vallecas stadium.

They took the lead after 39 minutes when Lopez hammered a superb effort into the bottom right corner from around 30 yards out after the ball was cleared into his path.

Rayo came close to adding a second in stoppage time but Alejandro Balde was alert to cut Jorge de Frutos’ low cross out with two Rayo attackers ready to pounce.

Lack of intensity

Xavi said Barca would miss Gavi’s “depth, coronary heart and braveness” against Francisco Rodriguez’s side and he was proven right, although they improved a little after the break.

Ferran Torres might need levelled early within the second half with a header however despatched it too near Rayo goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski. Xavi instantly changed the winger, together with Oriol Romeu after one other disappointing shift on the base of Barca’s midfield, sending Ilkay Gundogan and Joao Felix on.

Pedri headed narrowly over from Robert Lewandowski‘s cross and Inigo Martinez nodded a Gundogan free kick off target too as Barca sought the equaliser.

Raphinha’s raking effort struck the post and Rayo hacked Lewandowski’s attempted finish from the rebound off the line.

Eventually the Catalans levelled with eight minutes remaining when Lejeune diverted Balde’s cross into his own net, under pressure from Lewandowski. Raphinha appealed for a penalty in stoppage time when he fell after Pacha Espino challenged him, but the officials did not oblige.

“We did not play properly, we weren’t on the degree that we may be,” De Jong told DAZN.

“We must work to enhance — the plan is sweet, we’re assured, everybody ran as a lot as they might. I believe that we weren’t good in possession.”

Barcelona now have failed to beat Rayo in five matches and could fall six points behind Girona if their neigbours beat Athletic Bilbao on Monday at Montilivi.

Real Madrid, two points clear of Barca, visit Cadiz on Sunday, while fourth place Atletico Madrid host Mallorca later Saturday.