Barcelona returned to La Liga action with a frustrating 1-1 draw away at Rayo Vallecano.
La Blaugrana missed the chance to increase the pressure on their title rivals with a win in Vallecas as they make the trip back to Catalonia with a single point.
After falling behind to Unai Lopez’s superb long range first half goal, Barcelona were up against it after the restart, before Florian Lejeune’s own goal eventually saved a draw for Xavi’s side.
Xavi labelled his team’s performance as a ‘game of two halves’ in his post match press conference but the former Spanish international was irritated by the absence of a win.
Barcelona had a case for two penalties inside 90 minutes, with Raphinha apparently fouled inside the box, and Robert Lewandowski thrown to the floor by Lejeune.
Neither incident was flagged up as a penalty offence by the officials and Barcelona’s penalty tally remains at two received and scored so far with Lewandowski converting both.
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