Lamine Yamal reveals what Barça lacked to defeat Rayo

FC Barcelona drew against Rayo Vallecano (1-1) in the closing of matchday 3 of LaLiga EA Sports 2025/26. Lamine Yamal put the Azulgrana team ahead before the break, but a goal from Fran Pérez in the second half decreed the draw on the disastrous pitch of Vallecas.

The '10' culé made it 0-1 in the 40th minute by scoring a penalty that he himself provoked. However, Barça found it difficult to impose conditions against a well-positioned and very dangerous Rayo in attack. Finally, the draw was fair and the Mataró native did not hesitate to draw on collective self-criticism.

Lamine is clear: Barça has not yet returned to its best level in 25/26

In the post-match talk with 'DAZN', Lamine assured that the team, like against Levante, was below the usual level. "In the end it is a very difficult field and we lacked intensity, as in the rest of the matches of this start of the League", began by saying the 18-year-old player.

In that sense, he added: "We have to learn from this for after the break and play again with the intensity of last year". Similarly, the Rocanfonda native reiterated the need to maintain their idea of ​​the game beyond some facilities granted in defense.

However, he did warn of the key to the goal conceded. "We haven't spoken. No one has communicated that that player was alone. We have to learn from these plays". Fran Pérez appeared completely alone on the second post, shooting Joan García with a first-time volley. 

And, about the penalty, he made it clear why he dared to kick it. "They did it to me and I felt confident to shoot it. I am always open to helping the team", Yamal pointed out. The '10' already has 2 goals and 2 assists in the League, that is, he has participated in 4 of the 7 goals scored by Barça. 

Lamine Yamal's magic rescued Barça in the first half

Lamine Yamal during Rayo-Barça (1-1)

From the beginning of the match, the winger was, by far, the best of the Azulgrana attack. In the 4th minute he tested Batalla's reflexes with a shot that the Argentine stopped with difficulty. Afterwards, he would provoke Pep Chavarría's penalty, after leaving two rivals scattered inside the area.

In the second half, like all of Barça, he appeared less, although he was close to provoking another penalty from Chavarría himself in the 82nd minute. Raphinha and Ferran Torres also did not have a good night, while Marcus Rashford did generate a couple of corners in the second half. 

In total, Lamine completed 3 dribbles and 15 of 21 passes (71%) during the 90 minutes. In individual duels, he won 11 of 15 (73%), while he also completed 5 defensive actions, including a couple of recovered balls. In addition, he caused 4 fouls, including a penalty.

Although the Vallecas pitch clearly harmed his usual display on the wing, Yamal delivered on a difficult night for Barça. If Hansi Flick's team rescued a point in Madrid, it was clearly due to his offensive work and Joan García's saves. Now, the Mataró native will travel with Spain for the duels against Bulgaria and Turkey.

• Recommended links
• FC Barcelona Squad - 2025/26 Season
• Hansi Flick's Barça Lineups
• All Lamine Yamal's statistics
• ÚLatest news about Lamine Yamal