Barcelona Regains La Liga Lead With Narrow Win Over Rayo Vallecano

BARCELONA, Spain — FC Barcelona reclaimed the top position in La Liga EA Sports 2024/25 after defeating Rayo Vallecano 1-0 at the Estadio Olímpico Lluís Companys on February 17, 2025. This match, part of matchday 24, saw the Blaugrana leapfrog both Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid thanks to their recent performances.

With this victory, Barcelona moved up to 51 points, matching Real Madrid but topping them on goal difference. Following the match, Hansi Flick, Barcelona’s head coach, expressed satisfaction with his team’s resilience. “We’ve worked hard to reach the top again, and the players showed great determination today,” Flick said.

Barcelona’s last victory in La Liga on February 10 was against Valencia, which marked their third consecutive win, during which they scored 12 goals and conceded only two. Their run in the league has been characterized by an impressive offensive, having netted a total of 64 goals this season, the highest in La Liga.

Historically, Barcelona has excelled against Rayo Vallecano, winning 26 out of their 43 encounters, with a favorable record of 16 wins at home. Rayo Vallecano has only managed to win seven times, with ten matches ending in a draw. The most significant match between the two happened in the 1978/79 season, when Barcelona achieved a resounding 9-0 victory.

In the current season, Barcelona had been previously placed fourth until recent draws from both Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid provided an opportunity for the Catalans to reclaim their top spot. “Every game is crucial, but we made our chances count today,” added Flick.

The match was tightly contested, with both teams maintaining offensive pressure. However, it was a solitary goal from Barcelona that clinched the three points. Rayo Vallecano could not capitalize on its opportunities, leaving them at 35 points in the standings, currently in sixth place.

Reflecting on injuries, Flick confirmed that the team played without key players Marc Bernal and Marc-André ter Stegen, both sidelined due to injury, alongside Fermín López, who is serving a suspension. Nonetheless, Barcelona’s depth allowed them to secure the win.

Barcelona’s home performance this season at the Estadio Olímpico Lluís Companys has been strong, with a record of seven wins, three losses and a goal tally of 28 for and nine against in a total of ten matches played at home in La Liga. As the season progresses, maintaining this form will be essential for the team as they push to secure the La Liga title.

Looking ahead, Barcelona’s next match will be on matchday 25 of La Liga, where they aim to extend their lead. The team has shown an impressive unbeaten streak since the beginning of 2025, winning five out of six matches, a testament to their current form and ambitions for the league.

As the league continues, Barcelona holds a slight edge but will need to stay focused with challenging opponents ahead. “The focus now is on continuing to build on this momentum,” concluded Flick.